Meet Our McNair Scholars

Major: Environmental Science

Major: Mathematics

Biography:
Mariano Estrada II is a third-year student at the University of Idaho’s College of Science, where he is pursuing a B.S. in Mathematics. He is an active member of the University of Idaho’s Diversity Scholars program, in which he is given the opportunity to collaborate with and learn about people from many different backgrounds. This has allowed him to hear numerous opinions and commentaries from those who have experienced the world differently than he has and, in many cases, reconsider his own positionality given his newfound knowledge and perspective.

Estrada is also a scholar in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, wherein he is given the tools, resources, and support necessary to pursue a doctoral degree. As a McNair scholar, Mariano conducted mathematical research in the field of combinatorics alongside Dr. Alex Woo, a mathematics professor at his institution. Inspired by the unusually high levels of passion and commitment exhibited by a math teacher he had in high school, Estrada is interested in both obtaining a higher level of knowledge about the world pertaining to mathematics, as well as aiding others who are on that same path. In the pursuit of these interests, Mariano applied and was chosen to be an SI-PASS leader through the department of Tutoring and College Success at the University of Idaho, where he regularly plans and conducts hour-long study sessions for MATH 176, a historically challenging course. This position gives him experience in planning activities to fit within a given time frame as well as aiding students in understanding difficult mathematical concepts.

Mr. Estrada has persevered to be able to graduate three semesters ahead of his class, upon which he intends to apply to graduate school, expand his knowledge of mathematics, and move towards a career as a tenured professor at a post-secondary institution.

Majors: International Studies and Business
Minor: Advertising

Majors: Biotechnology & Plant Genomics and Horticulture & Urban Agriculture

Major: Criminology and Psychology
Minors: History and Justice Studies

Biography:
Alondra Ibarra is a First-Generation Chicana undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychology, with minors in History and Justice Studies. Growing up in Los Angeles, CA and later moving to a rural town in Eastern Oregon during her Sophomore year of high school, has allowed her to understand various diverse lifestyles and issues. She is highly involved within her university and community.

Alondra has worked with the College Assistance Migrant Program for four years at the University of Idaho, to help support students like herself that come from farm working backgrounds. She is also an active member of her sorority Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and has had the opportunity to lead her university chapter through her Chapter President position for the 21’-22 and 22’-23’ academic years. Additionally, as a current Multicultural Greek Council co-president, she has been directly involved in leadership and activist opportunities to represent minority students on-campus. Her memberships in Psychology and Criminology Honor Societies demonstrate her drive and commitment to higher education.

Alondra intends to graduate from the University of Idaho in May of 2023 and attend a doctoral program in the Fall of 2023. She plans to receive a Ph.D. and a Juris Doctorate Degree in the following four-to-six years; with plans of working with non-profit organizations involved with the Criminal Justice System focused on helping underrepresented groups and communities of color.

Major: Fishery Resources

Major: Mathematics

Major: History
Minor: Political Science

Biography:
Rebecca Mills is a senior at the University of Idaho, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science. She is the secretary of the University of Idaho Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society chapter, a national academic honors society. Rebecca is also involved with the University of Idaho Honors Program, Student Support Services-Trio, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and Vandal Promise Scholars. She received the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society Sophomore Award for maintaining a 4.0 G.P.A. for three semesters and has been on the Dean’s List every semester since Fall 2020.

Through her participation in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Rebecca developed a research project that examined how American and British cartoonists visualized women during the American Revolution. This research explored the inherent contradiction between women as representations in visual media and their lack of political equality. By undertaking this project, Rebecca developed her skills in conducting a literature search, finding a research gap, and creating a project that answered her questions. She learned to communicate her findings to a diverse audience effectively. This research experience motivates Rebecca to continue studying how visual media, specifically political cartoons, affected public opinion during the American Revolution and the Early Republic.

After graduating from the University of Idaho in Spring 2023, Rebecca wants to pursue a Ph.D. in history specializing in the American Revolution or the Early Republic. She hopes to work in a museum or library where she can make history more accessible to the public. Rebecca wants to use her knowledge to educate people about the relevance of history and encourage them not to repeat past mistakes.

Major: Biology

Major: Animal and Vet Science

Major: Landscape Architecture
Minor: Political Science

Biography:
Alexandra Vega is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Idaho. She is a first-generation, Latinx college student expected to graduate Spring 2023 with a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture.

Alexandra Vega has been a very involved student here at the university. She has been part of various clubs and organizations such as the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), SSS-TRIO, McNair, Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (SCASLA)  and Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc. Alexandra has also had the opportunity to work alongside the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) as a student office assistant from 2020-2022, assisting in programming and preparation efforts for cultural events.

During Summer 22’ Alexandra conducted a research project “Connections Through Classification: Re-design a Historic Arboretum” with support from the McNair Scholars program and her mentor, Assistant Professor Dan Cronan. Her research focused on creating a better plan for the Charles Shattuck Arboretum that incorporated four major themes: unification, circulation, stewardship, and maintenance. All this while informing the visiting public about how certain plant species were utilized by the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Palus (Palouse) and Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) tribes.

Alexandra hopes to attend graduate school to obtain her Masters in Landscape Architecture and receive her license as a landscape architect. In the future she strives to open her own firm, incorporating the importance of diversity and inclusion in a workspace. Within her firm, she would love to open doors for underrepresented individuals, who regardless of degree, have an interest and desire to work in this field.

Majors: Biochemistry

Majors: Psychology

Majors: Business Economics and Medical Sciences

Majors: Sociology and International Studies

Major: Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Major: Animal & Vet Science

Majors: Animal Sciences

Major: Psychology and Philosophy

Majors: Apparel, Textiles, and Design

Majors: Architecture

Majors: Psychology

Majors: Wildlife Resources

Majors: Psychology