Workshops and Events
Spring 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 daniel.malpica@sonoma.edu.
Spring 2025 McNair Workshop Schedule: All Workshops are held in Salazar Hall, Room 1049, unless otherwise listed below. | |
TITLE | DATE & TIME |
Welcome to the Spring 2025 Semester! Overview of the Semester & General Check-In Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica | Friday, January 24, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
How to Narrow Your Research Question Presenter: Dr. Soo-Yeon Yoon, Sociology | Friday, January 31, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Formulating a Research Question in Qualitative Research: Examples From Current Projects Presenter: Dr. Kyla Waters, Sociology
| Friday, February 7, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Formulating the Research Question Presenter: Dr. Steve Framer, Chemistry | Friday, February 14, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Conducting the Literature Review Presenter: Dr. Emily Clark, Department of Modern Languages
| Friday, February 21, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Finding Library Sources Presenters: Emily Hostutler & Dr. Daniel Malpica | Friday, February 28,2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Collecting Data Presenter: Dr. Daniel Soto, Geography, Environment & Planning | Friday, March 7, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Developing and Presenting a Research Poster (Stevenson 1300) Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica | Friday, March 28, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Analyizing Data Presenter: Dr. Lisa Hau, Biology | Friday, April 4, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
From Research to Publication: Submitting Your McNair Research Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica | Friday, April 11th, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Finding External Funding for Graduate School Presenter: Fabian Ramriez, UC IRVINE Note: This presentation will be held on Zoom. Please email Emily Hostutler (hostutle@sonoma.edu) for the link. | Friday, April 25th, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
Summer 2025 Goals: Preparing Graduate Applications for Junior-Level Students Presenters: Emily Hostutler and Dr. Daniel Malpica
| Friday, May 2nd, 2025 12 - 1 p.m. |
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: daniel.malpica@sonoma.edu or (707) 664-2264.

The California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education is an all-day event designed to acquaint students from underrepresented groups with the academic and career opportunities associated with advanced study in a wide range of disciplines. The Forum offers students a range of workshop topics, such as paying for graduate education, preparing for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), selecting and applying to graduate schools, writing a winning Statement of Purpose, and more. The Forum also offers subject-specific panel presentations, giving students the opportunity to learn more about graduate education in their specific discipline, and the opportunity meet representatives from the nation's leading graduate schools at the recruiting fair.
The event is held annually, alternating between Northern and Southern California. The next Northern California event will be held in the 2025-26 academic year.
For more information about the California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education, please contact SSU's Campus Coordinator, Stacey Pelton: pelton@sonoma.edu