I joined the Ronald E. McNair Scholar program during my senior year. I was inducted as part of the 22nd Cohort.

I heard of the program after talking with two previously accepted scholars. Of the two, one of them kept pushing me to pursue McNair because I wanted a way to involve myself, as well as conduct research before entering graduate school.

Words cannot express the knowledge I have gained since becoming a McNair Scholar. Most importantly to me, I have learned how to properly research and tweak my networking skills. Also from being a scholar, I have learned to properly dine, to present at various conferences, and the dos and don’ts when applying to graduate school. McNair has helped me position myself to becoming a better student, a researcher, and a future PhD recipient.

My most recent research project is working with seniors within a retirement community. During this study, seniors of a retirement community participated in a focus group on the accessibility of a stand that provides support for the “IN2L” touchscreen hardware. (IN2L provides adaptive technology for seniors.)

I had previously worked with my mentor as her research assistant on a similar project at a retirement community. This research involved the use of technology and creating intergenerational relationships. After this great experience and knowing that my research interests are similar to hers, she signed on to mentor me.

Every step of the way, Galina Madjaroff was there to provide assistance. She has been a great help when it came not knowing where to start, pointing me in the next direction when I was lost, and editing my working; dubbing me the King of Commas.

I am a hands-on and people type of person and this project allowed me to continue to be that type of person. Though I love being planted in a book, something about assisting people in-person feels more rewarding.

Before I started, I had little research experience. My major, Management of Aging Services, assisted in giving me that extra push by providing a well rounded background in writing scholarly papers. The McNair program provided a research methodologies course that helped prepare me for the actual research portion.

The hardest part of the research was the writing portion. This portion takes time to piece together, as well as going back and forth to ensure that all proofreading and edits were made.

No matter what year you are as a student (I was in my senior year) or if you do not know how to go about conducting research, there are many resources available that can assist you in pre, during, and post. Find that one person, whether an mentor or professor, who can point you in the right direction.

I plan to obtain my PhD in management or technology with a research focus in aging. I hope bring awareness to aging and the great possibilities that lie within.