Edwards receives Excellence without Excuse Award
Kesha Williams
June 15, 2012
Valerie M. Edwards, a senior from Whiteville, N.C., majoring in aviation science, received the Excellence without Excuse Award. The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program issues the award to students based on their outstanding academic performance. Volunteer service and campus activities are also considered. Edwards has a 4.0 grade point average. She began participating in the he Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (RMPAP) during her sophomore year. The program is named in honor of the late Dr. Ronald E. McNair. It is designed to empower low-income, first generation college students and ethnic and racial groups (African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native) who are currently underrepresented in graduate education to pursue postbaccalaureate opportunities. The purpose of Elizabeth City State University’s RMPAP is to motivate and prepare students for doctoral programs in the fields of computer science, industrial technology, mathematics, sciences, or behavioral sciences. During the summer semester, participating students conduct scholarly research projects and present their findings at an annual awards luncheon. Students are matched with an ECSU professor who oversees their research project. In addition to the academic research, students receive career counseling, hear from visiting lecturers and visit universities that offer advanced degrees. Dr. Cheryl Jackson-Lewis is the Director of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at ECSU.