McNair Scholar Using Summer for Research and Prep Time

Abbey Rudisaile is a McNair Scholar at Southeast Missouri State University, and this summer she stayed on campus to conduct research in preparation for national conferences later this school year.

Rudisaile is heading into her senior year at just 18 years old, using her time in high school to complete college credits and get ahead in her college plan. Even though she will do an extra year of undergraduate coursework after this coming year, she’s packed her time at Southeast full. She’s majoring in elementary education, but is also getting a certification in autism spectrum disorder and minoring in developmental psychology.

rudisaile-large.jpgRudisaile is in the TRIO McNair Scholars Program. The McNair Scholars Program encourages, supports, and assists academically promising juniors who have been historically underrepresented. It provides students with enhancement workshops, a faculty mentor, summer research, and a path to graduate school.

She’s doing all of this as a first-generation college student. 

“Being one of the McNair scholars is really important to me because it shows me that the TRIO staff believes in me and thinks I am capable of succeeding in this program,” Rudisaile said. “I feel like I have a lot to prove to people, so being chosen to participate in such an amazing program helps to continue to push me to do my best in college and look forward to my future even more.” 

Learn more about Abbey's Majors

Will to Do

Abbey packs her time at Southeast, majoring in elementary education while getting a minor in developmental psychology and a certificate in autism spectrum disorders. Learn more about her programs.

Elementary Education
Developmental Psychology
Autism Spectrum Disorders

This summer, she’s sifting through research and information on psychologist Erik Erikson’s eight psychosocial development stages and how they incorporate into the academic setting. She’s planning on taking that information to national conferences in the fall and presenting.

Her faculty mentor is Kelly McEnerney from the Department of Psychology and Counseling. Rudisaile works alongside McEnerney during her time in the program, along with the rest of the TRIO staff.   

“I hope to gain more professionalism, leadership, and friendships,” Rudisaile said.  “I know I will learn a lot this summer and be even more encouraged in my education.”

After graduating with her associate’s degree in teaching at just 17, Rudisaile wasn’t entirely sure of the path she was going to follow. She knew she wanted to teach at the collegiate level someday, but she needed to find the place to start her undergraduate work first. 

That place ended up being Southeast.

“I had no clue where I wanted to go at first,” Rudisaile said. “I had heard so many great things about SEMO and once I looked into the University more I knew I wanted to be a part of the community here.”

As Rudisaile is paving the way at such a young age, it’s the small-campus feel that she’s especially grateful for.

“I did not realize how much positive change would happen and how many great opportunities would be open to me,” Rudisaile said. “Now, I look back and think about how grateful I am for every opportunity that has come my way here at SEMO. It is amazing how much support and love I feel on this campus. The culture here at SEMO is amazing and makes me feel important.”

 

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