The 2026 University of New Mexico McNair Scholars Research Conference

Don't be late to our opening ceremony where we will prepare you for this awesome conference where you will discover the power of networking! You will get the most out of the conference if you are here for the entire session.

Highlights:

• Conference Overview & Welcome Address: Ricardo Romero, Director, UNM McNair & ROP
• Networking Activity: LaToya Walters, Associate Director of Graduate & Professional Recruitment, University of Pittsburgh, Office of the Provost- Graduate Studies
• Coffee, Tea, and water will be available.

Grab a quick box lunch to eat in SUB Ballroom C or outside if you prefer  in between sessions 1 & 2 of the poster presentations and grad school fair. The box lunches can be picked up in the area where you registered in the morning outside of the ballrooms.

Box Lunch Options - There will be a selection of the options below. Please do not take the vegetarian or vegan/dairy free/gluten free options unless your RSVP listed one of those restrictions: Vegetarians/Halal= Grilled veggie wrap, Vegans/Dairy free/Gluten free= Salad. (FYI, There are no nuts in any of the box lunches).

Turkey Breast & Provolone Box Lunch
Turkey breast and provolone cheese - Cookies and chips

Ham and Swiss Box Lunch 
Ham and swiss cheese - Cookies and chips

Grilled Veggie Wrap Box Lunch 
Cookies and chips

Roast Beef and Cheddar Box Lunch
Roast beef and cheddar - Cookies and chips

Salad - Dairy Free and Gluten Free 

UNM's Graduate School Ambassadors will lead group tours of UNM's Campus

Please come to SUB Ballroom C to get ready to board the buses for our excursion to the fabulous Sandia Peak Tramway and dinner at the stunning Sandia Resort and Casino.

Instructions for loading excursion buses
•Goal is to start loading into buses at 3:45 pm & leave at 4:00 PM!
•Students have a break between 2:00-3:30 PM

1. Campus Option - I recommend staying on campus & meeting by 3:30pm in SUB Ballrooms to stage for loading buses for the excursion (see details below)
2. Conference Hotels Option (Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites or Springhill Suites on Central Avenue ): We will have excursion charter buses at the official conference hotels and you may board there. Be ready by 3:30! (see details below)

• Name Badge-EVERYONE must wear your conference name badge to participate. Do not leave it in your hotel room

Campus Option Instructions
•Meet in the SUB Ballrooms at 3:30 PM. At exactly 3:45 pm we will exit the SUB on the south side to meet at the far East end of Johnson Field by 4:00pm (see map below).
•Please begin boarding the buses once you are able in an orderly fashion.
•3 buses will go to the tramway first, and the remaining buses will go to dinner first.
•Please follow the tour guides instructions and stay on schedule.

Conference Hotels Option Instructions:
•Meet in the SUB Ballrooms at 3:30 PM. At exactly 3:45 pm we will exit the SUB on the south side to meet at the far East end of Johnson Field by 4:00pm (see map below).
•Please begin boarding the buses once you are able in an orderly fashion.
•3 buses will go to the tramway first, and the remaining buses will go to dinner first.
•Please follow the tour guides instructions and stay on schedule.

Updated 9/1/25