Notable McNair and TRIO Participants

The McNair Scholars Program is part of the Federal TRiO programs, designed to support individuals facing educational disadvantages. Other TRiO programs include:

• Upward Bound: Prepares disadvantaged high school students for college.
• Talent Search: Supports high school students to pursue higher education.
• Student Support Services: Enhances college retention and graduation rates.
• Educational Opportunity Centers: Provides counseling and education for adults pursuing college.
• Veterans Upward Bound: Assists veterans in enrolling in college.
• Upward Bound Math-Science: Supports high school students in STEM fields.
• Training Program for Federal TRiO Programs: Enhances TRiO program staff effectiveness.

Learn more about our namesake Dr. Ronald E. McNair from Biography.com and NASA.

Meet the National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients.

McNair Scholars Program

Bernard Harris

"Everyone is born in this world with the ability to do whatever they desire to do. We hope to encourage the idea that if you listen to yourself, it will lead you to what you want to do in life."

Bernard Harris is a scientist, physician, businessman, and former NASA astronaut. In 1995, he became the first African-American to perform extra-vehicular activity (spacewalk). Harris holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Houston, an MD from Texas Tech University School of Medicine, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas - Galveston, and an MBA from the University of Houston. He spent ten years at NASA, conducting research in musculoskeletal physiology and disuse osteoporosis. He later led the Exercise Countermeasure Project, which developed medical devices to extend astronauts' time in space.

Talent Search

Kenneth Corn

Kenneth Corn (Democrat) is a former member of both the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He set records as the youngest elected official in each chamber, becoming a representative at age 22 and a state senator at age 25. Corn holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma.
 

TRiO Student Support Services

Franklin Chang-D¨ªaz

Franklin Ram¨®n Chang-D¨ªaz is a mechanical engineer, physicist, and former NASA astronaut. He was the third Latin American in space and holds a tied record for the most spaceflights, having completed seven Space Shuttle missions. Of mixed Costa Rican Spanish and Chinese descent, he became a U.S. citizen in 1977. Chang-D¨ªaz holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Applied Plasma Physics from MIT. He is currently the president and CEO of Ad Astra, a company focused on developing advanced plasma rocket propulsion technology.

A. C. Green

A.C. Green, also known as "Iron Man," is a former NBA player renowned for playing a record 1,192 consecutive games, the most in NBA/ABA history. Over his career, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat. Green holds a degree in Speech Communication from Oregon State University.

Gwendolynne "Gwen"  Moore

Gwendolynne "Gwen" Moore, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district since 2005. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Marquette University and is a passionate advocate for women's rights, health, and well-being.

Kevin Shibilski

Kevin Shibilski is an investor, businessman, and former Democratic State Senator from Wisconsin's 24th District. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin¨CStevens Point and has worked extensively in environmental protection and conservation.
 

Upward Bound

Hector Balderas 

Hector Balderas is an attorney and Democratic politician serving as the current Attorney General of New Mexico. He became the youngest Hispanic elected official in the nation when he was elected State Auditor at age 33 and has also served in the New Mexico Legislature. His political work has focused on criminal justice reform, combating crime, and improving public education. Balderas holds a B.A. in Political Science from New Mexico Highlands University and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico Law School.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is an actress known for her roles in biographical films. She won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) and has also played Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X (1992) and Panther (1995), Katherine Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992), Rosa Parks in The Rosa Parks Story (2002), Voletta Wallace in Notorious (2009), and Coretta Scott King in Betty and Coretta (2013). Bassett holds a B.A. in African-American Studies from Yale and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an actress best known for her role as lawyer Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder, for which she made history in 2015 as the first Black woman of any nationality to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Davis has also appeared in various supporting roles, including in Kate & Leopold (2001), Far from Heaven (2002), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She holds a theater degree from Rhode Island College.

Patrick Ewing 

Patrick Ewing is the current associate head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a former NBA player. He spent the majority of his career as the starting center for the New York Knicks and also played for the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic. Ewing won Olympic gold medals with the U.S. basketball team in 1984 and 1992. He holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Georgetown University.

Jos¨¦ Moreno Hern¨¢ndez 

Jos¨¦ Moreno Hern¨¢ndez is a politician, engineer, and former NASA astronaut who served as the chief of the Materials and Processes branch at Johnson Space Center. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Pacific and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III (born June 6, 1959) and Terry Steven Lewis are an R&B songwriting and production duo with more Billboard number-one hits than any other team in history. They met in high school while attending an Upward Bound program at the University of Minnesota.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Gail Winfrey is a media personality, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist, best known for hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. She has been ranked the wealthiest African-American, recognized as the greatest Black philanthropist in U.S. history, and is currently North America's first and only Black multi-billionaire. In 2013, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Winfrey holds degrees in Speech Communications and Performing Arts from Tennessee State University.

Beatrice Berry

Beatrice Berry is a sociologist, author, lecturer, comedian, and educator. She hosted her own talk show from 1993 to 1994 and has taught Sociology and Statistics at Kent State University. Berry has authored several books, including I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head and Redemption Song. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Jacksonville University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Kent State University.

Wil Haygood

Wil Haygood is a journalist best known for his influential 2008 Washington Post article "A Butler Well Served By This Election," which told the story of Eugene Allen and later inspired the 2013 film The Butler. Haygood also authored a book about Allen, The Butler: A Witness to History. He holds a B.A. from Miami University.

John Qui?ones

John Qui?ones is an ABC News correspondent and the current host of What Would You Do?. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from St. Mary's University and an M.A. in Journalism from Columbia University's School of Journalism.

Photo Credits: Hector Balderas (Babak Dowlatshahi | CC BY-SA 3.0); Angela Bassett (Gage Skidmore | CC BY-SA 3.0); Franklin Chang-D¨ªaz (cataloged by NASA under Photo ID: S97-06573); Kenneth Corn (Official portrait, Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau | Public Doman); Viola Davis (Red Carpet Report | CC BY 2.0); Ewing (Michael Tipton | CC BY SA-2.0); A. C. Green (Department of Housing and Urban Development | Public Domain); Bernard Harris (Tim Pierce |  CC BY-SA 3.0); Jos¨¦ Moreno Hern¨¢ndez (NASA | Public Domain); Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Angela George | CC BY-SA 3.0); Gwen Moore (Official portrait, U.S. Congress | Public Domain); Kevin Shibilski (Dustinklein56 | CC BY-SA 3.0)