Southeast Missouri State University’s McNair Scholars attended the McNair Heartland Research Conference, Sept. 18-20 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The McNair Scholars is a selective Federal program with the goal to support and encourage academically motivated upperclassmen who are first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds to pursue education and gain their terminal degrees. One condition of this program is participation in the McNair Heartland Research Conference, which brings together talented students from Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. The conference allows opportunities in presentation experience and feedback, networking, exposure for graduate schools, mentorship and professional development.
“One of the highlights of the annual research conference is seeing the culmination of the Scholars’ hard work,” said Anessa Scalf, the academic coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program at SEMO. “After months of preparation, research and practice, scholars present with confidence, are able recognize the significance of this accomplishment and experience the satisfaction of knowing they invested the time, effort and dedication necessary to produce a great product. That experience helps them recognize that they can contribute to academic conversations and succeed in environments they may have once considered beyond their reach.”
Students prepare extensively for this conference alongside a chosen faculty member. These faculty members guide the scholars as they develop an annotated bibliography, create an abstract, identify specific research questions, polish their skills in mock presentations and refine the overall scope of their research project.
Students presenting and faculty mentors include:
- Stefani Anders of Perryville, Mo., mentored by Dana Branson
- Emma Besher of Piedmont, Mo., mentored by Kirsten LaMantia
- Dominique Bourn of De Soto, Mo., mentored by Steven Stovall
- Aniah Gray of O’Fallon, Mo., mentored by Scott Brandhorst
- Taylor Myers of Jackson, Mo., mentored by Marissa Wilson
- Kiara Parker of Cape Girardeau, Mo., mentored by Abbie Nelson
- Laci Tallo of Cadet, Mo., mentored by Paige Kovach
- Natalie Reddick & Brianne Troutt of Park Hills, Mo., and Brookport, Il., respectively, mentored by Jason Henry
“The Heartland Conference was one of my favorite college experiences to date,” said McNair Scholar Emma Besher, on her experience at the Heartland Conference. “I really enjoy expanding educational opportunities for myself and this is one of the best ways to do exactly that. The keynote speakers we heard were some of the most inspirational speeches I have ever had the pleasure listening to. I was nervous to give my presentation but am very thankful for my SEMO peers helping me feel more confident in my delivery. Overall, this was an amazing experience that I cannot thank my McNair staff enough for giving me.”
Scholar Kiara Parker also received the $500 Heartland McNair Research Conference Scholarship through the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association following the conference and presentation of her research.
“One of the most rewarding parts of our McNair program is watching our Scholars discover their potential,” said Valdis Zalite, director of TRIO programs at SEMO. “Seeing their hard work pay off as they connect with faculty mentors, present their research, support one another, and grow in confidence reminds me why this work is so impactful for all involved. This cohort has done a great job, and we look forward to supporting each of them as they prepare to launch into graduate school.”
For more information on the McNair Scholars program, please contact Anessa Scalf, academic coordinator, at ascalf@semo.edu.