Alphonso Grant

As a non-traditional student with a political science major with a 3.9 GPA and history minor with a 3.83 GPA, graduating cum laude in December 2011, with an overall 3.71 GPA, my pursuit of academic excellence as an undergraduate has been rewarded. I am a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, president of Alpha Chi National Scholastic Honor Society, president of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and vice-president of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. I am also a member of Henderson State University’s Honor College, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Black Students’ Association, and I am a mentor in the African American Male Initiative Program. 

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars program has been a most valuable mechanism to aide me in the preparation for my graduate and post-graduate studies. As a McNair Scholar, I have been introduced to a plethora of distinguished endowed professors and department chairs from prestigious universities who will become major influences in my post undergraduate studies; several have already offered to mentor me on my journey of continued academic excellence. Furthermore, I am confident that I will not be swayed or diverted from my ultimate goal of attaining a Ph.D. with my first concentration being Education and my second concentration being American Studies and becoming a tenured university professor at one of the prominent institutions with whom I am in contact with. As I embark on and complete this journey I will be able to extend to others the academic support that has been bestowed upon me.

The educational experience at Henderson State has provided me the opportunity to meet some very notable members of its faculty, who have made themselves available as well as having given me the necessary tools to succeed here. Dr. Vernon Miles, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, his accessibility and direction have been vital to my success, being that extra resource and providing the academic guidance that is solidifying my educational experience. Dr. Duane Jackson, Mathematics Professor, who also can relate to my societal juxtaposition, has been very instrumental in my personal development by being the example and showing me how to conduct myself in all situations. Dr. Angela Boswell, History Professor, for her immense moral support in handling challenging situations here at Henderson. Dr. W. Martin James, Political Science Professor, his direct approach to teaching exemplifies some of the characteristics that I want to utilize when I become a university professor. Dr. Clinton Atchley, English Professor and Master of Liberal Arts Director, has instilled in me the enthusiasm that a professor must have in order to effectively help their students. Ms. Wanda Harris, McNair Scholars Program Coordinator/Advisor, Wow!!! I cannot put into words “all” that she has done for me since my arrival on Henderson’s campus. Ms. Harris’ unwavering support was shown by her willingness to always assist me in acclimating to campus, as well as her dedication to the many doors she has opened for me and the other McNair Scholars in order for us to achieve scholarly accomplishments. These faculty members have left an indelible print on my life and have influenced me in my efforts to achieve academic excellence here at Henderson.