LSU wins grant to expand college opportunities

Awards based on need, ethnicity

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded LSU a five-year, $1.35 million grant to aid students who are: the first in their family to go to college; have a background of financial need; or from an ethnic group underrepresented in graduate education.

The grant was awarded through the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program, according to an LSU news release.

The grant was awarded to LSU University College and represents a 20-plus-year relationship between LSU and the McNair program.

The new grant is expected to have an increased focus on Ph.D. completion and initiatives to recruit more students with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, the release says.

“Because of the overwhelming support of the faculty and staff at LSU, McNair Research Scholars will continue to grow into what I hope will be a model for postbaccalaureate preparation programs across the country,” said Joseph R. Givens, director of the McNair scholars program at LSU.

Students who receive the scholarship will use the funds to provide undergraduate research opportunities, graduate school preparation activities, writing initiatives, academic counseling and professional development workshops to aid baccalaureate attainment and boost graduate school success, the release says.

“University College and LSU are truly fortunate to have received this five-year grant to continue the 20-year history of the McNair Research Scholars Program on this campus,” said Paul Ivey, executive director LSU’s University College.