The University of Washington hosted the 18th annual Pacific Northwest McNair/EIP/Go-Map Research Conference, Fri., April 30, through Sat., May 1, at the Husky Union Building. The research conference was an opportunity for students, faculty and staff from all over the country to share intellectual ideas, engage in a variety of discussions and build collegial relationships.
The annual event also offered the Ronald E. McNair and Early Identification Programs the opportunity to publicly recognize the accomplishments of their students, especially graduating seniors. The conference was staged as a professional meeting that allowed students to present the findings of original research they have conducted throughout the year in collaboration with a faculty mentor.
On Friday, students presented their research in the form of oral presentations and poster sessions before and after a special lunch reception. Dr. Habiba Ibrahim, an assistant professor of African American literary studies in the UW English Department, served as the keynote speaker. Dr. Ibrahim’s research focuses on the cultural politics of contemporary multiracialism, interracial intimacy and the conjoinment of black and mixed-racial identity formation.
Additional University remarks at the lunch reception were given by Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange (Vice President for Minority Affairs & Vice Provost for Diversity), Dr. Luis Fraga (Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement), Dr. Gabriel Gallardo (Associate Vice President and the Director of the UW McNair Scholar Program), Dr. Juan Guerra (Director of GO-MAP and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School), Dr. Gene Kim (Associate Director of McNair and EIP Programs) and Calista Phair (Miss Black Washington 2010). Saturday’s schedule included a Faculty Panel discussion, as well as the opportunity for students to engage with faculty over lunch.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at UW prepares undergraduates for doctoral study through involvement in research and scholarly activities. The program’s goal is to successfully support low-income, first-generation students and students from groups underrepresented in graduate education. The Early Identification Program at UW also encourages and assists undergraduates from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to enter graduate school. The Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP) works to promote greater access to advanced studies for graduate students of color and traditionally underrepresented groups.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event