McNair Scholars

Martha is a Political Science major from Penjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico, and more recently American Falls. She has lived in Guanajuato, Mexico, Fresno California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah. Her favorite food is mocha cake. She also loves to read, write, bake, and cook. Martha has 10 pets! Four lovely dogs named Peanut, Bigotes, Hershey, and Nala. She also has five parakeets and a cockatiel.

My name is Fatima Castro, and I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minoring in Latino Studies and Spanish. My journey with the McNair program began when I expressed my interest in graduate school to my advisor, Maurice. Since then, my goal has been to pursue a Master's in counseling. I joined the McNair program during my sophomore year and participated in two Summer Research Programs. In my first summer, I worked with mentors from the Political Science department, while in the following year, I collaborated with a mentor from the Psychology department. These experiences were incredibly rewarding, offering valuable insights into graduate school and research. Meeting my cohort was my favorite part, as I formed meaningful connections with fellow students. While the program and courses were time-consuming, the knowledge and experience gained were invaluable. Prospective students should be aware of the commitment required, but the program teaches you with essential skills for graduate school. Embrace the opportunity to ask questions and build a relationship with your mentor. It's important to recognize that research may not be everyone's passion, and that's perfectly okay. I hope this program helps students explore their interests and preferences in grad school and research.