Workshops and Events
Fall 2025 McNair Workshops
Each semester, the McNair Scholars program holds weekly workshops on a range of topics that aim to prepare students for the graduate school application process. These workshops are open to the campus community. If you are interested in attending, please join us on the dates listed below. For more information about becoming a McNair Scholar, please review the eligibility requirements and application procedures and contact our Program Director, Dr. Daniel Malpica at [email protected].
Fall 2025 McNair Workshop Schedule: All Workshops are held in Salazar Hall, Room 1049, unless otherwise listed below. | |
| TITLE | DATE & TIME |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
Welcome to the Fall 2025 Semester!
| Friday, August 22nd, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
The Graduate School Application Package
| Friday, August 29th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
Preparing your CV
| Friday, September 5th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
The Role of the Graduate Statement of Purpose. How Important is this Document?
| Friday, September 12th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Panel Presentation of Recent Grads:
Alexa Rayas (Ph.D. Student in Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
AND
Serena Pen (Ph.D. Student in Biological Science, Columbia University)
Open Forum on Applying to Graduate School
ZOOM LINK: https://sonomastate.zoom.us/j/81902257383 | Friday, September 19th, 2025 NOTE: Workshop will be held ON ZOOM at our regular time from 12 - 1:00 PM |
Presenter: Sakina Bryant, Writing Center Faculty Director
Writing Tips to Create the Statement of Purpose | Friday, September 26th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenter: TBD
How to Pick a Graduate Program? How Important is Fit? | Friday, October 3rd, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica Navigating Graduate Application Online Portals | Friday, October 10th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenter: Dr. Heather Smith, IRB Chair and Department of Psychology
Advice on Preparing an IRB Proposal | Friday, October 17th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
The Craft of Research: Developing a Research Topic/Question | Friday, October 24, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Presenter: Panel Presentation of McNair Alumni:
Vanessa Reyes (Ph.D. Student in Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
AND
Salvador Ochoa Zavalza (Ph.D. Student in Applied Mathematics, University of California, Davis)
What is it like to be a graduate student?
ZOOM LINK: https://sonomastate.zoom.us/j/87087426315 | Friday, October 31st, 2025 NOTE: Workshop will be held ON ZOOM at our regular time from 12 - 1:00 p.m. |
Open Discussion with Scholars and Program Staff
| Friday, November 14th, 2025 12 - 1 PM |
Events & Opportunities
The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase diversity within the pool of university faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of students in the CSU. Recipients of this award will receive funding designed to enable students to explore and prepare for doctoral programs in their chosen field of study, such as participation in a summer research experience program at a doctoral-granting institution, visits to doctoral-granting institutions to explore opportunities for doctoral study, travel to a national symposium or professional meeting, and graduate school application and test fees.
Awards are based on competitive review of student applications and given to current upper-division undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, while having experienced economic or educational disadvantage, and are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level. All students enrolled on a CSU campus are eligible to participate.
The application cycle opens in December of each year. Interested candidates must work directly with the SSU campus coordinator, Dr. Daniel Malpica: [email protected] or (707) 664-2264.