Named after Ronald McNair, one of the first African American astronauts, six outstanding students of Winston-Salem State University attended the Ronald McNaiir Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program during the summer. The students included Michael Boone, Joevanne Estrada, Elisa Haywood, Travis Parker, Curtis Norman and Mignon Turner. With the help of Brenda Taylor in Hauser they were able to attend the nine week program that included five hours per day of research and study- an investment in their goals upon graduation. The program was held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. All participants were rewarded a $2800 book stipend along with housing arrangements.Tutors and advisors were assigned to each individual to assist them in the completion of the program which included a concentrated research project that was at the conclusion of the program. Various courses were offered including technical writing, statistics, information systems and research method courses. The majority of the courses required the students to write abstracts and 30-page term papers or more based on topics associated with the preparation for graduate school. The Post Baccalaureate Achievement consisted of presentations and completions among other students who attend historically black colleges. Activities such as whitewater rafting and shopping were included in the program. However the experience was described by some students as very extensive and difficult because in-depth research and required effort. It pushed students to obtain organizational skills and direction to further their education for a successful future. The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to increase the number of students involved in doctoral degree programs. It provides research opportunities and academic experience for first generation and ethically underrepresented college undergraduates. Preoperational skills to help students develop research skills that graduate schools look for in prospective students. Qualified students must have a grade point average of at least 2.7 overall and 3.0 within their last semester prior to applying to the program.Joevanne Estrada is a junior Spanish major from Charlotte. Her research project dealt with the Mexican American conquest. Estrada said the goal of the McNair program was to prepare students to pursue graduate degrees and teach one day. She says her experience at UT was valuable.”It made me more disciplined,” Estrada said. “I was always a good student, but now that I look back on it, where I had a B I could’ve had an A.”Estrada says that in addition to teaching, she wants to translate for a major corporation, specifically a bank.”Spanish people don’t trust banks with their money. I want to bridge that gap though by translating and helping them.”Estrada now looks forward to getting a translating internship with the local police department and going to get her translation licence, possibly at UNC-Charlotte, following graduation.