TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Kerensa Allison, PhD (EWU TRiO McNair 1996)

Current Position: Associate Professor, Anthropology
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho

Dr. Kerensa Allison earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 1997; a Master of Science Degree in Biology from EWU in 2000, and a PhD in Anthropology from Washington State University in 2010.

In her own words: I am the oldest of three children who grew up in a rural apple-producing town on the Canadian border (population 1,700). My mother and father worked hard to make ends meet; welfare, frequent moves, and wage labor were all part of my adolescence. Graduating from high school in 1993, I enrolled at Eastern Washington University the next fall, where I found myself underprepared for the college experience.  Fortunately Eastern's TRiO Student Support Services provided the foundation to complete my biology degree, and acceptance into the TRiO Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program changed the course of my life. TRiO McNair at EWU is not solely about preparing students for the GRE or helping them write their statement of purpose for graduate school. McNair helped me break down my personal barriers of self-doubt, which haunts all first-generation and low-income students. McNair provided the guidance in application, personal support during my academic journey, and celebration when I finished both my Master's in Biology (EWU) and Doctorate in Anthropology (WSU).

I recently accepted a tenure-track position working for Lewis-Clark State College where 80% of the student body qualifies for TRiO services. I will continue the TRIO legacy to help guide, support and inspire the next generation of TRiO students. 

Micheal Callaway (EWU TRiO McNair 1998)

Current Position: Residential Faculty and Writing Program Administrator, English Department, Mesa Community College (Mesa, AZ)

Dr. Micheal Callaway entered the TRiO McNair Program at Eastern Washington University in the summer after his sophomore year, in 1998. He completed a second summer of McNair research in 1999 and worked for the program teaching GRE preparation in the summer of 2000.

In his own words: "I feel very fortunate. I became aware of the McNair Program by accident. Back in the late 90s the McNair Program was located across the hall from the Academic Success Center (ASC), which housed TRIO Student Support Services. One of the advisors in the ASC suggested that I check out McNair. I had an hour to kill before my next class, so I walked across the hall. Those were five of the most important steps in my life. Up until that point, I didn't have any life plans. I was in college because my parents told me that I had to go. They both had GEDs and couldn't give me any insights into what the higher education landscape looked like. They just knew that I needed a degree to be successful. The McNair Program put me on track for success. I conducted research under the guidance of tenured faculty in the English department and presented at regional and national conferences.

The TRiO McNair Program even coordinated meetings with graduate schools on the trips to conferences. Meetings with faculty from other graduate programs were invaluable. From those experiences, I realized that my work with McNair set me apart from other undergraduates. Coming from the background that I did, it was easy for me to discount my own achievements. I had conducted research, "so what?" I thought that since my McNair faculty mentors were also my teachers that they praised my work because they liked me. The validation from scholars who didn't know me helped me see the value of my own work. My McNair advisors didn't praise my work because they liked me; they saw promise in my work and wanted to support me as I grew into a scholar. Those experiences also taught me not to doubt my ability to make meaningful contributions to my field of study. Most of all, I realized that graduate schoolwas within my reach. I never would have completed a doctorate degree, published articles or published a book if not for the program."

Dr. Callaway earned a Master's Degree in Rhetoric and Composition and a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition/Linguistics from Arizona State University. He is co-author (with John Ramage, Jennifer Clary-Lemon and Zachary Waggoner) of Argument in Composition, published in 2009 by Parlor Press and The WAC Clearinghouse, one of a series of books that provide "comprehensive and convenient surveys of what has been learned through research and practice as composition has emerged as an academic discipline over the last half century."

Rita Davis (EWU TRiO McNair 1996)

Current Position: Acute Care Physical Therapist, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital

Rita Daivis earned her Master's in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 2000.  That year, she also was awarded the Minority Scholarship Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She began work at the Yakima Regional Medial Cardiac Center in 2007, and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at the University of Montana in May 2011. In August 2011, she took her current position in the acute care setting at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital.  She plans to continue her education by pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Management.

In her own words: "First of all, TRiO McNair gave me an instant support system for furthering my education. Being the first person in my family to go to college meant that although my family was proud of me, they did not always understand how to help me. The program taught me how to be a better student and to get what I needed out of my programs. McNair TRIO allowed me to develop my leadership skills by mentoring students in the cohorts after me, which I loved doing. The staff at EWU's McNair TRIO program still offer me support as I continue to pursue higher education opportunities. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to be a McNair Scholar. It was an experience that gave me the tools I needed to be successful and skills that I use everyday."

Ms. Davis is married to Steve Davis, who graduated from EWU's PT program in 1998. They have two children, Lucia and Henry.  

Sheikh Omar Jobe (EWU TRiO McNair 2006)

Current Position: PhD Dissertator in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology and MBA Candidate in Marketing Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sheikh Omar Jobe is currently finishing his PhD in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology and MBA in Marketing Research dual degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Washington University with a major in Biology as McNair Scholar.  Shortly after graduation, Omar worked for Medtronic Inc., one of the world's largest cardiovascular medical device manufacturing companies.  At Medtronic, he worked as a senior animal research technician with responsibilities including developing study operational procedures and maintaining departmental safety policies, SOPs and guidelines.  Working for Medtronic allowed Omar to learn about combining scientific research experience with the businesses of large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to better serve the needs of health care consumers and patients.  This exposure led him to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he is currently finishing his PhD in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology and an MBA in Marketing Research.  For his excellence in academic achievement and research, Omar has received various merit-based awards including Pfizer SGI President's Best New Investigator from Society for Gynecologic Investigation and USDA-NIFA-NRI awards from Society for the Study of Reproduction.  As a graduate student, his work has led to various presentations at national/international conferences as well as publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals.  

In His Own Words: "Most students understand that college will be different - and harder - than high school, but many minorities including myself do not realize exactly what those differences and challenges will be.  More importantly, there are few academic programs that have attempted to counteract the various visible and invisible barriers minorities encounter upon entry to college such as the TRiO McNair Program.  The Eastern Washington University McNair Scholar Program provided tools and an outlet for grappling with the competitive demands of academics and economics, the needs of family and the search for meaningful relationships.  Moreover, the program provided a blueprint and resources to enter graduate school and various tools for retention. Apart from helping me learn about the rigors of life and academia, preparing for the GREs and building presentation skills, the McNair program gave us the opportunity to travel to conferences and meetings for professional development.  It is because of them that we always remember that as TRiO McNair scholars we are here to contribute to the value of the world and adhere to a deep sense of purpose and ultimately increase the number of minority and underrepresented populations in graduate programs."

Martin Meraz García (EWU TRiO McNair 1996)

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Chicano Studies, Eastern Washington University

During Dr. Martin Meraz García's junior year at Eastern Washington University, he was introduced to the TRiO Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program.  His decision to apply to the program was to have life changing consequences.

In his words: "The program opened the door to a world I did not know, a world that historically has been only accessible to the elite.  As a first-generation, low-income student, who barely knew how to read, write and speak English, TRiO McNair gave me the support and preparation that enabled me to earn a doctoral degree --a degree that allows me to teach at universities, to present my research at national and international conferences and to publish articles in scholarly journals.  Most importantly, I am able to mentor students from backgrounds like mine and to encourage them to earn their degrees so that they too, will be able to contribute to their communities."

Dr. Martin Meraz García earned his PhD from Washington State University in Political Science. His book, Ordinary Individuals Who Become Narcotraffickers, was published by Kendall Hunt Publishing in 2012

Jon Panamaroff (EWU TRiO McNair 2001)

Current Position: Executive Director and Senior Vice President at First Nations Oweesta Corporation

Mr. Panamaroff is an enrolled member of the Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak, Alaska and a descendent of the Koniag Alaskan Native Cooperation. Prior to joining Oweesta Jon had spent his professional career in finance and Native American economic development.  He worked as Northwest Zone Credit Manager for the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, Division of Capital Investments as well as with the Department of the Interior.  He also was Vice President of Business Development and Senior Commercial Lending Officer at Native American Bank, N.A, as well as a Commercial Credit Card Analyst for Bank of America, and a Project Manager/Lead of the Program Management Office and IDIQ center at Koniag Services, Inc. 

Over the last five years Jon has been directly involved in managing or generating over $500 Million of investment capital into Native Communities. This investment went directly to individual Native entrepreneurs, Tribes, Tribally & Alaska Native owned enterprises. At the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development Jon set himself apart by providing nearly $60 Million of loan guaranties in 2009 to tribal enterprises while working with and visiting many of the 110 Tribes in the Northwest Zone to discuss solutions to Native American enterprise development. This was recognized and Jon was selected for the Department of Interior's Indian Affairs Leadership Development Program which grooms GS14 &15 managers for Senior Executive Service positions. 

As a Vice President at Native American bank Jon serviced his 26 Tribal and Alaska Native Corporation owners by producing much of the bank's commercial loan portfolio. When leaving the bank Jon was presented with the Best Business Development Officer award. 

Mr. Panamaroff completed his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Psychology with departmental honors in both disciplines from Eastern Washington University.  He states his experience as a TRiO McNair Scholar at EWU helped him build a strong foundation for a professional career bringing positive change to Native American communities throughout the country.

Jon also earned a Master's of Public Administration from EWU, and is currently working on a Graduate Degree of Banking at Colorado where he plans to graduate in June 2012. 

In 2010, Mr. Panamaroff was recognized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Developments "Native American 40 under 40".