DSU's McNair Program builds a record of doctoral achievement

Named for astronaut and physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program prepares Delta State students for research and advanced education.

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DSU's McNair Program builds a record of doctoral achievement

Named for astronaut and physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program prepares Delta State students for research and advanced education.

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Before he became a physicist and NASA astronaut, Dr. Ronald E. McNair was a child seeking access to books in a segregated South Carolina library. His determination to continue his education eventually took him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a doctorate in physics, and aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

At Delta State University, the program bearing his name helps undergraduates prepare for advanced study through research, faculty mentorship and graduate-school preparation. Since its beginnings around the 2017-18 academic year, the McNair Research Scholars Program has developed a growing record of alumni earning doctoral and professional degrees.

The program entered its next phase in July 2026 when Tyra Franklin, a Mississippi Delta native and former McNair Scholar, became director. Her appointment brings both professional experience in higher education and a personal understanding of the opportunities the program provides.

For DSU President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis, the connection between McNair's life and the program's purpose begins with that childhood library encounter.

McNair went to the public library in his hometown of Lake City to study, but segregation rules prevented him from checking out books. He refused to leave. When police arrived, the officers persuaded the librarian to allow him to borrow the books.

Ennis attended high school and college in South Carolina and spent 24 years working at a university about an hour from Lake City. He has visited McNair's hometown many times and followed its efforts to preserve his legacy.

"I think about that moment, and those cops, because it was entirely possible in that place and at that time that McNair could have been arrested, or at least thrown out of the library," Ennis said. "The police officers acted with unexpected grace."

McNair joined NASA in 1978 and flew aboard Challenger in 1984. He died with six crewmates in the Challenger disaster in 1986. The educational program named in his honor continues his legacy by expanding opportunities for students to pursue doctoral study.

Formally known as the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, McNair is a federally funded TRIO initiative serving eligible undergraduates with academic potential. Participants include qualifying first-generation students from low-income backgrounds and students from groups underrepresented in graduate education.

At Delta State, scholars participate in faculty-mentored research, professional development and graduate-school preparation. Those experiences help students develop research skills, communicate their findings and make informed decisions about advanced education.

The results are evident across several fields.

Ashley D. Griffin earned a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2024. William Michael Neal completed a doctorate in natural products chemistry and pharmacognosy at the University of Mississippi that same year. Nicholas Walters earned a Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University in 2025.

In 2026, Jalen Carney earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Ian Matthews earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from Trident University International. Johvan Hill-Dick earned his medical degree from Howard University in 2025.

Additional alumni are pursuing doctoral and other advanced degrees. Their progress reflects both their individual work and the preparation they received as undergraduates.

Supporting that preparation requires contributions throughout the university. Faculty mentors guide research and help students understand expectations within their disciplines. Program staff provide professional development and assistance with graduate-school preparation. Past program leaders and campus partners have helped establish and sustain those opportunities.

Franklin has made recognizing that shared effort a priority as she takes over leadership. She views the program's accomplishments as the result of years of work by scholars, faculty mentors, staff and university partners.

Her own experience with McNair began as an undergraduate. A Shaw native and Tougaloo College graduate, Franklin participated through the Tougaloo College/University of Mississippi partnership. Her research examined child temperament and parental work productivity during COVID-19, and she presented her work at Baylor University, Ole Miss and the Mississippi Academy of Sciences.

She later earned a Master of Science in industrial-organizational psychology from Xavier University. Her professional background includes work in higher education, student development and organizational improvement, with experience involving the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Rhode Island School of Design.

Her master's thesis, "Workgroup Inclusion and Employee Engagement," examined how belongingness and individuality relate to employee engagement. That research helped shape her approach to leadership and her belief that people should feel included while retaining what makes them distinct.

Returning to the Delta to direct DSU's McNair Program brought those academic and professional experiences together with her experience as a scholar.

"Returning to the Mississippi Delta as McNair Director in July 2026 has been a full-circle experience," Franklin said. "I once benefited from the very opportunities I'm now helping provide."

Her priorities include helping students recognize their academic potential and understand the steps required to pursue graduate education.

"I believe the Mississippi Delta has extraordinary potential, but potential alone doesn't always guarantee access to opportunity," Franklin said. "Sometimes students simply need exposure, guidance, or someone willing to help them recognize what's possible."

The program's 2026-27 theme, "BECOMING," emphasizes preparation and continued development. September's focus, "Finding Your Why," encouraged scholars to consider their goals and motivations. October's focus, "Finding Your Voice," encourages them to communicate their research, ideas and experiences with confidence.

Franklin also emphasizes that students do not need to have every career decision settled before beginning research or preparing for graduate school. Exploring academic interests and responding to setbacks are part of that process.

For Delta State, the program connects undergraduate education with opportunities beyond a bachelor's degree. Its alumni have pursued advanced study in neuroscience, chemistry, psychology, education, healthcare administration and medicine, demonstrating the range of fields available to McNair Scholars.

As Franklin begins her tenure, those accomplishments provide both a foundation for the program's continued work and examples for current students considering similar paths.

"I want our scholars to understand that where their journey begins doesn't determine how far they can go," Franklin said.

For more information about Delta State University's McNair Research Scholars Program, visit deltastate.edu/institutional-grants/mcnair.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

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