The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to prepare highly talented undergraduates from first generation, low income backgrounds and students who are underrepresented in doctoral programs (African-American, Hispanic, Native America, and Native Alaskan) to pursue doctoral degrees. Long term, the goal is to increase the number individuals from the target groups teaching in colleges and universities.

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program provides an opportunity for students and faculty to apply much of what is learned within the classroom by engaging, outside the classroom, in research activities in a particular area of scholarly interest. These research activities provide a journey through the challenges and affirmations of scholarly work and better prepare students for graduate study and the pursuit of a doctoral degree.