The McKearn Fellows Program transforms fellows’ undergraduate experience and advances their professional development by providing them with academic programming, funding for enrichment experiences, and personalized advising. The program carries the name of two distinguished NIU alumni, John and Cassandra McKearn, who make this opportunity possible for motivated students in the Honors Program.
General criteria considered for the McKearn Fellowship includes being a current freshman undergraduate student, have a 3.5 or higher GPA, preferred research experience, and Honors Program involvement. The newest class of McKearn Fellows includes Honors students Sophie Ortega, Shivani Patel, Rachel Taye, Migel Vialpando, and Carlisle White.
Sophie Ortega is a Political Science major. Sophie said, “the McKearn Fellowship will enhance this framework by providing its guidance, funding, and significant research opportunities.” Sophie also sees this program as a key milestone towards achievement her career goals.
Shivani Patel is a Nursing major. Shivani said that the McKearn Fellows Program will advance her research goals, provide mentorship, and open opportunities to continue her professional development.
Rachel Taye is a Psychology and Biochemistry double major. Rachel is currently working in Dr. Grippo’s neuroscience lab where she assists with ongoing experiments by timekeeping and coding animal behaviors using their laboratory software. Rachel would like to attend medical school or a pursue a graduate degree in neuroscience.
Migel Vialpando is a Mechatronics Engineering major. With his degree, Migel wants to explore robotics and how to combine robotics with the human body to make robotic prosthetics.
Carlisle White is an English major. Carlisle is particularly interested in research pertaining to Open Educational Resources, which sprouted as a Research Rookie and will continuously blossom through the McKearn Fellowship.
