SPRING 2026 McNair Scholars Howling Highlights Welcome to the TRIO McNair Scholars Program Welcome to the fourth edition of the Northern State University McNair Scholars Program Newsletter! We are excited to share the continued progress and achievements of our scholars as we work together to promote academic excellence and support their success in graduate school. The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded initiative named in honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a physicist and astronaut who tragically lost his life in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Established in 1989, the program was created to honor his legacy by empowering first-generation and lowincome college students to pursue doctoral studies. We are proud that the TRIO McNair Scholars Program at Northern State University is the first and only McNair program in South Dakota. Our mission is to equip students with the tools, experiences, and support needed to successfully prepare for and succeed in graduate education, especially at the PhD level. We are looking forward to starting the new school year in the Fall of 2026. We extend our sincere appreciation to Northern State University and the greater Aberdeen community for their continued support of our scholars and the McNair mission. We are especially grateful to our dedicated NSU faculty mentors, whose guidance, encouragement, and belief in our students have been instrumental to their success. Your mentorship remains at the heart of what makes this program impactful and transformative. Sincerely, The McNair Staff Welcome! Spotlights Spring Graduates and Welcome Co-State ASPIRE Conference NSU Scholar Forum and Symposium Scholar Conference and Leadership Aberdeen Events Table of Contents Dr. Ronald E. McNair, physicist and the second African American astronaut in space
McNair Scholar Spotlight: Paige Bishop I’m a junior studying biochemistry at Northern State University and originally from Hillsboro, North Dakota. I’m also completing an associate’s degree in biotechnology, a minor in Psychology, and a certificate in Allied Health. I’m involved in TRIO SSS, McNair Scholars, the Honors Program, Pre-Health Club, The Good Circle, and I compete on the track and field team in shot put, hammer throw, and weight throw. As for research, I have not formally started, but I will be beginning my first project soon and am looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in the lab. Outside of school, I love reading fiction and thriller novels or spending time at the lake. I enjoy being out on the water, swimming, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or just relaxing outside when I can. I also have two animals, a cat and a dog, who keep life busy and entertaining. My dog brings a lot of energy (and noise, thanks to the husky), while my older cat spends most of her time lounging in the sun and claiming my pillow at night. I wouldn’t have it any other way. McNair Scholar Faculty Mentor Spotlight: Christopher Near Dr. Christopher Near (Chris) joined Northern State University in 2020 and became an associate professor in 2025. He taught previously at Northern Arizona University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His current research focuses on organizational wrongdoing, whistleblowing in organizations, and recidivism among corporations that violate government regulations. His doctoral research in sociology at the University of Michigan investigated the effects of parent supportiveness on their children’s behavior problems and cognitive achievement. His postdoctoral fellowship research at Cornell University examined the life satisfaction of grandparents who provided childcare to their grandchildren. Dr. Near teaches classes in sociology and criminal justice, including policing, criminal procedure, law and society, criminology, and research methods and statistics. He has served on the thesis committees of four honors students and has supervised several student internships in criminal justice. He has worked with one McNair scholar and looks forward to working with others in the future.
Congratulations to our Spring Graduates! Emma Rahm Degree: Chemistry Matt Scepaniak Josh Wakefield Degree: Human Performance with a minor in Coaching Graduate School: NSU Degree: Double major with Biochemistry and Chemistry Graduate School: NDSU Kaden Boettcher Liliana Angulo Degree: Psychology with a minor in Sociology Degree: Marketing with a minor in Economics Welcome to our new McNair Program Director: Dr. Julia Wold Dr. Julia Wold joins us as our new TRIO McNair Program Director. Dr. Wold graduated from NSU in 2015 with a BA in English. She then received her MA in English from the University of North Dakota in 2018 and her PhD in English from the University of Connecticut in 2025. As an instructor and scholar, her focuses include Shakespeare, video games, and adaptation studies. More importantly, however, empathy and student success are central to Dr. Wold's educational philosophy. As McNair director, she is excited to use her first-hand knowledge and experience in graduate studies to help prepare students to achieve their own goals in graduate education. Dr. Wold is happy to be back in Aberdeen with her sevenyear-old cairn terrier, Buster. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, travelling, YouTube, Star Wars, and BTS.
ND/SD Co-State ASPIRE Conference 2026 In March, McNair Research Coordinator Shelby Serrano represented NSU at the Co-State ASPIRE Conference in Bismarck, ND. This is a great opportunity for North Dakota and South Dakota TRIO programs to gather and learn. During the conference, Shelby had the opportunity to attend many speaker presentations on learning about communication and how to help an anxious generation. Shelby also met with other SD TRIO representatives to discuss the upcoming Regional ASPIRE Conference in October, along with receiving updates on the ELI Conference and Policy Seminar. There was time for Shelby to explore the ND Heritage and Culture Museum and see the beauty that the University of Mary holds. Despite the incoming snowstorm, Shelby had a wonderful time learning more about the University of Mary and the unique resources available for students. Shelby is looking forward to the next ASPIRE conference in Fargo, ND! We thank the ND ASPIRE Board Members for hosting the conference and providing a great opportunity for TRIO staff members to come together and learn. SD TRIO program representatives Shelby in The Lodge. This room has specific humidity and temperature levels to help students with seasonal depression. Especially students who come from more tropical climates.
2026 Spring NSU Scholar Forum April 8, 2026 Guy Clothier Research: Can a single creator with only a laptop produce professionalquality cinema in 2026? 2026 Spring NSU Symposium May 1, 2026 Left Corner: Kaden Boettcher on Housing Expectations of Young Adults Right Corner: Guy Clothier on Can a single creator with only a laptop produce professional-quality cinema in 2026? Bottom Right: Josh Wakefield on In vitro gene expression
Josh Wakefield ASBMB Annual Meeting ‘26 D.C. Metro Area Leadership Aberdeen Research Coordinator, Shelby Serrano, had the wonderful opportunity to be in the 2026 class of Leadership Aberdeen. Shelby learned a lot about leadership and created lifelong connections throughout the Aberdeen community. The class gets to talk and work with many different businesses in Aberdeen, such as Dacotah Bank, Agtegra, Glacial Lakes, 3M, and even NSU. Every year, the Leadership Aberdeen class attends Aberdeen Day at the Capitol. Shelby learned a lot about politics and the different bills going through the House and the Senate. Each year, the Leadership Aberdeen class works together on a class project. The 2026 class project, called Heart for the Homeless, is the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen class project aimed at raising funds to support individuals experiencing homelessness in the Aberdeen area. Additionally, we are creating a Community Mural to be displayed in the K.O. Lee Library. Our goal is to make a direct impact on homelessness within our community. Through simple, personal contributions, we can provide meaningful support and bring about real change right here in Aberdeen.
McNair Scholars Program Events More to come in the 26-27 school year! Know someone interested in graduate school? Know anyone interested in undergraduate research? Refer them to the McNair Program!! Contact information is below!! TRIO McNair Scholars Program Contact Information Julia Wold julia.wold@northern.edu 605-626-3444 MJ 135 Shelby Serrano shelby.serrano@northern.edu 605-626-7801 MJ 131
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