UMN McNair Success Stories

The impact of the TRIO McNair Scholars Program extends far beyond graduation. McNair alumni are shaping the future of research, policy, education, and innovation, demonstrating the lasting impact of the program far beyond their undergraduate years. As scholars, they pursue advanced degrees and contribute to cutting-edge research that addresses pressing societal challenges, from public health disparities to climate change solutions. In education, they serve as professors, mentors, and administrators, working to diversify academia and support the next generation of underrepresented scholars.

Many alumni also influence policy and advocacy, using their expertise to drive systemic change in areas such as social justice, healthcare, and education reform. Others apply their skills in industry, leading innovative projects in technology, business, and nonprofit sectors. No matter their path, McNair alumni continue to break barriers, uplift their communities, and serve as leaders in their fields, proving that the investment in first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students creates ripple effects that extend across society.

Each story below highlights the journey of a McNair Scholar—how they started, where they are now, and the ways they continue to inspire the next generation of scholars.

Read our Success Stories

Feature: Caitlyn Barrett Explores the Psychological Roots of Political Participation Gap

This article was originally featured on the University of Minnesota's Political Science website on November 5, 2025. After beginning her college career with an interest in clinical psychology, Caitlyn Barrett returned for graduate school to further explore the relationship between poverty and political participation. Today, as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, she’s examining how early-life experiences shape political behavior in adulthood. Photo courtesy of

Feature: Amina Hasan Presents at Eldersveld Emerging Scholars Conference

This article was originally featured on the University of Minnesota's Political Science website on November 24, 2025. Amina Hasan, a senior double majoring in political science and Spanish, had long wanted to study politics because of her lived experience in the Middle East. Her choice to study political science was further solidified after taking POL 1001: American Democracy in a Changing World her freshman year with Professor Scott Abernathy. She said she "loved the class,

Feature: Sociology Senior Nahrissa Rush Named 2020 CLA Student Commencement Speaker

This article was originally featured on the University of Minnesota's Sociology website on May 5, 2020. Sociology senior Nahrissa Rush - recipient of the department's Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper Award and soon-to-be Sociology PhD student at Ohio State - has been named the Undergraduate Student Speaker at the 2020 CLA Virtual Commencement Celebration at 11 a.m. on May 16. We couldn't be more proud. We in the Department of Sociology, however, are not at all

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Influencing the Country

The success of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities TRIO McNair Scholars is no accident, it’s the result of strategic investment, expert mentorship, and a program that believes in the potential of first-generation and low-income college students. When you support McNair, you're not just funding a program, you're empowering future scientists, educators, health professionals, and innovators who are building a safer, more secure, and prosperous nation. Below is an map of the locations our scholars have attended graduate school since 1991.

Map of the continental United States with circles noting the top locations students attend graduate school

Invest in Impact

The success of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities TRIO McNair Scholars is no accident — it’s the result of strategic investment, expert mentorship, and a program that believes in the potential of first-generation and low-income college students. When you support McNair, you're not just funding a program — you're empowering future scientists, educators, health professionals, and innovators who are building a safer, more secure, and prosperous nation.

Join us in expanding what’s possible.

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