The McNair Chronicle | 1

The McNair Chronicle

Volume 15, Issue 1 Spring 2014

Graduates Honored - Annual Awards Banquet
Eleven graduating McNair Scholars were honored at the 21
st
annual McNair Awards
Banquet held on May 2, 2014 in the Kansas Union. The 2013-14 graduating students
are (pictured from left): Tyler Wieland, Clint Jensen, Louisa Hussein, Merritt
Schenk, Ruaa Hassaballa, Paul Fowler III, Jon Nelson, Eric Rivera, Yliana Ruiz,
Joshua Russell, and Jamie Fuller.
Senior Scholar Clint Jensen and McNair alumna Dr. Belinda Hinojos, shared their
academic journey of overcoming adversity to pursue educational opportunities not
available to previous generations within their families. Both speakers emphasized
the importance of the McNair Program, and encouraged their fellow Scholars to
have faith in their ability to achieve academic excellence and to utilize every
resource available (More on pg. 5).
The event was attended by new Scholars, faculty mentors, members of the
University of Kansas administration, TRIO/CEOP programs, and campus
organizations. Each graduating Scholar received an Honor Scholar cord and a
Certificate of Merit, while seven Scholars were presented with distinct awards.
Louisa Hussein received the LaTina Sullivan Memorial Award, Josh Russell
received the Chico Herbison Leadership Award, Ruaa Hassaballa received the
Katherine Humphrey Award, Jamie Fuller and Jon Nelson received the Ronald E.
McNair Challenger Awards and Clint Jensen and Yliana Ruiz received the McNair
Spirit Awards. Drs. Nathaniel Brunsell, Evangelia Chrysikou, and Allan Hanson
received the McNair Mentor Award for their guidance and for advancing
underrepresented students in their scholarly pursuits. Dr. Belinda Hinojos
received the Outstanding Achievement & Service Award for fulfilling the mission of
the McNair Scholars Program by earning her Ph.D. and giving back support to
disadvantaged students.
Highlights
Leadership Award
Ruaa Hassaballa 2
New Ph.D.
Richard Martinez 2
Graduate
School Plans 2
Scholar
Achievements 3
Undergraduate
Research Symposium 4
Summer Research 4
Annual Awards
Banquet, contd 5
Paul Fowler IIIs
Journey to
Grad School 6
Meet the Staff
Dr. Ngondi Kamatuka
Director, Center for
Educational Opportunity
Programs


Mulu Negash
Director, McNair Scholars
Program


Paul Ladipo
Academic Services
Coordinator


Cara DeCoito
Administrative Assistant
The McNair Chronicle | 2

Dr. Richard Martinez: McNair Alumnus Earns Ph.D.
Dr. Martinez received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico
State University in Fall 2013 and is currently employed as a Psychology Resident
at the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at
Austin. Dr. Martinez sees students for individual therapy, crisis sessions, group
therapy, and provides supervision for counselors in training. As a counselor at the
University of Texas, Richard has focused on gaining experience and training with
first generation college students, students of color, and LGBT students on
campus. His role at the counseling center has also afforded him the opportunity
to conduct tailored outreach to Latina/o students, through which he provides
education pertaining to mental health, stigma, and teaching practical skills to help students succeed in
college. Dr. Martinez considers some of the most rewarding work has come from helping students
navigate the transition from high school to college, helping them identify cultural strengths, and
supporting their identity development.
Graduate School Plans
Seven scholars will be attending graduate school this fall. Jamie
Fuller and Paul Fowler III will be pursuing Masters degrees at the
University of Kansas, in Geography and African & African
American Studies, respectively. Louisa Hussein and Merritt
Schenk are enrolled in Masters programs in Applied Behavioral
Science at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and University of
the Pacific, respectively. Clint Jensen will be pursuing a Ph.D. in
Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Jon
Nelson will pursue his Ph.D. in Sociology at Brown University.
Tyler Wieland is attending Florida International University for his
Masters in Geosciences.
Making an Impact
Ruaa Hassaballa, a senior in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, was the
recipient of the Student Leadership Award in Diversity from the KU
Med Center. Students are given this award for their passion and
commitment to diversity and the capacity to demonstrate leadership
skills in this area. Ruaa was nominated for the award based on her
University service and leadership, which centered on diversity,
teamwork and cooperative learning. Ruaa was selected for the
Student Leadership Award because of her involvement in the Student
Diversity Council, as well as her volunteer efforts at a clinic for
underprivileged individuals in Kansas City.

Tyler Wieland (L) & faculty mentor Dr.
Nathaniel Brunsell.

Ruaa with Ryan Gove (L), Director
of Student Life and Dr. Vince
Loffredo, Vice Chancellor of
Student Services.

The McNair Chronicle | 3


RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS

Jeffery Durbin, Jamie Fuller, Clint Jensen, and Merritt
Schenk received the 2014 Outstanding Presentation
Award for their presentations at the Undergraduate
Research Symposium.
Jeffery Durbin, Clint Jensen, and Danielle Siebert
presented their research at the KU Symposium for
Undergraduate Psychology Engagement & Research
(SUPER) Poster Presentation.
Jeffery Durbin was the recipient of the Sigma Xi
Undergraduate Research Competition Award.
Jaime Fuller, Clint Jensen, Eric Rivera, Merritt Schenk,
and Kristina Van Anne received the Undergraduate
Research Award for Spring 2014.
Jamie Fuller and Clint Jensen received the Undergraduate
Research Award for Summer 2014.
Merritt Schenk presented his research at the
Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.
Merritt Schenk - The Donald M. Baer Outstanding
Achievement Award in Basic Research and Conceptual
Foundations

Joshua Russell and Danielle Siebert presented at the
National Undergraduate Research Conference.
Joshua Russell was one of the few students that
presented an ACE (Accessible, Creative, & Engaging)
Research Talk, similar to TED Talk, at the Undergraduate
Research Symposium.




RESEARCH EXPERINCE OUTSIDE KU
Taylor Broadhead, Jeffery Durbin, Greg Ervin, Carlos,
Fernandez, and Cassandra Osei were selected to
participate in Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU) at Duke, University of South Carolina, New York
University, Kansas State, and the University of Illinois at
Urban-Champaign, respectively.

ALUMNI SUCCESS
Dr. Jamie Bezdek, MKN - TRIO Achiever Award.
Jessica Brooks, accepted into UNC Chapel Hill Ph.D.
programs in Environmental Science & Engineering.
Ebo Browne, M.A., Criminal Justice.
Anthony Matthias Johnson, M.A., Sociology.
Sarah Bregman received the Blackmore Freeman
Fellowship.
Ebo Browne & Diana Restrepo presented their Graduate
Research at Day at the Capitol in Topeka.
Diana Restrepo was accepted into the Geography Ph.D.
program at the University of Kansas.
Adam Nicholson was selected to be a Recruitment
Emissary for the 2014-2015 Emissaries for Graduate
Student Diversity cohort at Indiana University.
SCHOALRSHIPS & HONORS
Jamie Fuller received the Summer FLAS to study the
Wolof language in Senegal and the Academic year FLAS
for KU.
Jyleesa Hampton was the recipient of the Virginia Purse
Award.
Jon Nelson - Distinguished Achievement Award - KU
Sociology Department.
Cassie Osei - Christopher House Scholarship & the Hall
Center Scholar Award.
Allora Richey - Elizabeth Miller Watkins Memorial
Scholarship (2014-2015).
Danielle Siebert received the EOF Leadership Award
(2014-2015).
Myette Simpson & Theresa Amante - Lohrenz Award for
Outstanding Multicultural Student in Engineering.
Kristina Van Anne - Outstanding Spanish Major Award.
Danielle Siebert displaying her poster at the SUPER presentation

Former Scholars, we want to hear from you today! Update us on your accomplishments and plans. Visit our website
mcnair.ku.edu or email us mcnair@ku.edu
Scholar Achievements & Awards
The McNair Chronicle | 4

On April 26, 2014,
the Center for
Undergraduate
Research hosted the
17
th
annual
Undergraduate
Research
Symposium. Over
100 students
presented their
research in front of
faculty, staff, family,
and the University
Community. KU McNair was strongly represented at the symposium, with eleven McNair Scholars
participating at the event. Seven Scholars gave oral presentations, three provided poster
presentations, and one served as an
undergraduate panelist discussing
undergraduate research at KU. Of the 107
students that presented their projects, 20
were selected to receive Outstanding
Presentation Awards, and 4 of those
recipients were McNair Scholars.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and Dr.
John Augusto spoke on the importance of
undergraduate research, specifically how it
can be used to prepare for graduate school
by discovering ones academic interests,
making professional connections, and
contributing to the body of knowledge in a
particular field.

Summer Research Internship 2014 Participants
McNair Scholars receive year round academic support as they prepare for eventual graduate study. The
capstone experience for Scholars is a two-month rigorous summer research internship (SRI) that
provides them with the opportunity to perform independent research leading to a paper that is
presented at symposia and conferences, and on occasion, published. Eighteen Scholars were selected
to participate in the 2014 SRI:
Theresa Amante
Cameron Arnold
Max Bearce
Rudy Christopher
Natali Diaz-Yepes
Sean Gilmore
Jyleesa Hampton
Nicole Humphrey
Clint Jensen
Hannah Morrow
Christian Orzano
Allora Richey
Merritt Schenk
Danielle Siebert
Dylan Smith
Donald Spradling
Carla Valenzuela
DaKie Washington
Taylor Broadhead (left) explains her project to a faculty
member in the Department of Molecular Biosciences.
(L to R): Merritt Schenk, Hannah Morrow, Jeffery Durbin, Max Bearce, and Danielle Siebert
McNair Scholars Presenting Research at Undergraduate
Research Symposium
The McNair Chronicle | 5

Clint Jensen discussed the importance of the McNair Program in
its quest to provide educational opportunities to those that are
normally excluded in higher education, and that Scholars should
utilize McNair and its resources to improve the quality of their
lives. Jensen encouraged fellow McNair Scholars to use their
education to impact others and let future generations build on
what they achieved. He also stressed the need to remember
ones beginnings as motivation to break the cycle of poverty.
Jensen spoke of being a first-generation college student from a
family of immigrant farmers who wanted to pursue higher
education, but were unable to do so because of the
responsibilities of farming, raising children and supporting
siblings. Although neither parent was able to attend college, his mother and father instilled a strong
work ethic in Clint, and he used this sense of responsibility, combined with his natural curiosity of
human behavior, to pursue a bachelors degree in psychology. Jensen concluded his speech by
emphasizing McNairs role in preparing him for post-baccalaureate study. He thanked KU McNair for
providing the opportunity to work with faculty mentors such as Dr. Evangelia Chrysikou, Drs. Richard
and Muriel Saunders, for the academic and career counseling he received from McNair staff, and the
confidence to face the overwhelming challenges of applying to and being accepted to graduate
schools.
Dr. Belinda Hinojos told the audience of growing up in a
household in which neither parent finished high school, being
from a low-income family, and attending a high school with a
high drop-out rate. Belinda experienced a culture shock when
she arrived at the University of Kansas. A sense of loneliness,
lack of resources, and the demands of coursework placed
Belinda on academic probation at the end of her freshman
year. With the help of TRIO Supportive Educational Services,
her family, and other support groups, Belinda was able to
recover and continue her path towards graduation, but it was
the McNair Scholars Program that prepared her for life beyond
the bachelors degree. Belinda acknowledged her need for
McNair to prepare her for the GRE, to teach her how to dress
professionally, and to provide her with the opportunity to conduct research. Despite facing many
obstacles before and during college, Dr. Hinojos earned her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology
from KU in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
in August 2013. Currently, she works as a Psychologist in the Counseling and Psychological Services at
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but uses her life experiences and education to the serve the
community. Dr. Hinojos also serves as the Latino Outreach Specialist and is the liaison for TRIO
programs in helping students that are underrepresented in higher education. In these roles, Belinda is
able to pave the way for disadvantaged students to succeed by tackling issues such as diversity and
inclusion in order to provide students with a sense of belonging that is vital for academic performance.
Dr. Hinojos closed by providing a word of encouragement for current McNair Scholars, reminding them
of the uncut resume that consists of the failures and setbacks students face before earning their
degrees and accomplishments. Belinda cited pursuing a Ph.D. as a single parent as an example of
unexpected challenges. Dr. Hinojos acknowledged the challenges faced by each Scholar, but urged
students to persevere in order to achieve their educational and career goals.
Annual Awards Banquet, contd
The McNair Chronicle | 6

For Paul Fowler III, a desire for an education began at an early
age while attending family road trips to historical monuments,
with his parents often explaining the significance of the events
and people to whom the memorials were dedicated. This
knowledge created a lifelong curiosity of history that served as
the impetus to pursue History as a non-traditional college
student. Upon his arrival at the University of Kansas, Paul
developed an interest in African American history, along with
plans to pursue post-baccalaureate study. As a history major,
he understood the importance of extensive research to achieve his lifelong goal of becoming a
Historian. Through his participation in the McNair Scholars Program, Paul began his first independent
research during the spring 2012 under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer Weber. He investigated the
history of African-American community in Kansas, particularly issues regarding civil rights, community
& class, and education. The following year, he studied under Dr. Clarence Lang, investigating primary
documents on the migration of fugitive slaves to Kansas and African-American community and class
formation in Lawrence. His outstanding research earned him the Undergraduate Research Award.
Furthermore, Paul was selected as the first KU Student Leader feature on KUs social media (Twitter,
Facebook, & YouTube) where he gave details of his research along with his adviser Dr. Lang. Next fall,
Paul will begin his graduate studies in the African & African American Studies Masters program at the
University of Kansas.




The University of Kansas McNair Scholars Program
Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Room 305
1122 W. Campus Road
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-9627
Fax: 785-864-0399
Toll Free: 877-842-5232
mcnair@ku.edu


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Journey to Graduate School