Student Initiatives
& Conferences
MKN Student Initiatives & conferences are centered around leadership development, career readiness/exploration, mental health, and self-development. Sessions also include keynote speakers and student networking with area colleges and universities.
MO-KAN-NE SCHOLARSHIPS
MKN provides multiple scholarship opportunities for TRIO and GEAR UP scholars within Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.
MKN provides multiple scholarship opportunities for students who participate(d) in TRIO and GEAR UP programs within the 3-state region. Recipients are recognized for their academic achievements, involvement in their community, and/or their ability to articulate how TRIO/GEAR UP has played a role in their lives. Students must be nominated by a current EOA/MKN member to be considered.
MO-KAN-NE 2026 SCHOLARSHIPS
The nominator, not the student, will complete all scholarship applications.
The application will be a Google Form and you MUST have the following before submitting it:
-
Access to a Gmail account. This can be a personal or professional email.
-
You must include your membership number and the expiration date of your membership. You must be a paid member through March 26, 2025.
-
Student and nominator essays, unofficial transcripts, and photo of the student, must be either in .pdf or .jpg format, your application will NOT be reviewed if this guideline isn’t followed.
-
Student essays and nominator letters of recommendation should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and not exceed 2 pages.
Details for the MOKANNE (MKN) Scholarships will be announced in 2026
Student Conferences
25th Annual MKN McNair Heartland Conference
The McNair Heartland Research Conference offers undergraduates the opportunity to...
-
Present their research in a friendly yet formal academic setting; meet other McNair Scholars; explore opportunities for graduate study, and become eligible for a drawing to win a scholarship.
The conference highlights include individual student research presentations, a graduate recruitment fair, speakers and panel discussions, a pre-conference workshop on writing graduate admissions essays, and opportunities to interact with graduate school faculty and staff.
REGISTER NOW!
Spots are limited—secure your place today and be part of a conference that celebrates your achievements and prepares you for the future.
Contact Conference Co-Chairs for questions or concern
Ryan Kirton (rkirton@emporia.edu) and
Ashley Cervantes (ashley.cervantes@wichita.edu)
2025 Pre-College Student Leadership Conference and College Conference
The Pre-College Student Leadership Conference and College Conference offer to bring together into a work and study community those persons who have an active interest in or who are professionally involved in broadening accessibility to and success in postsecondary education.
The Chapter shall have a broad base of concern but shall be particularly concerned about those students who, by reason of socioeconomic station, ethnic definition, military veteran status, disability, and/or restricted cultural educational experiences find themselves in a position of disadvantage with mainstream American students.
Our goal is to help students have positive experiences with others – to see that their programs are part of something bigger, to help students make connections with other TRIO, GEAR UP, and EOP students, and to strengthen confidence and knowledge (through competitions, sessions, visiting campuses, etc.)
The Chapter shall seek to accomplish its purpose(s) by:
1.) Promoting and conducting systematic studies and research, training, conferences, and other related activities desirable or necessary for fulfilling the purpose of the Chapter.
2.) Developing the capability to make timely and meaningful responses to issues and concerns affecting the educational resources and environments of students.
3.) Encouraging regular channels of communication between the programs and agencies in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and throughout the Midwest designed to serve the student population identified above.
Update on Student Leadership Conference
During the June board meeting, the board faced the challenging decision to cancel the Student Leadership Conference scheduled for October 2025. After careful consideration of various concerns and options, the board ultimately voted to cancel the event. However, we anticipate that the conference will return next year.
In the meantime, I am pleased to inform you that EOA has recently opened registration for the Student Leadership Conference taking place in September at the Mall of America in Minnesota. I encourage you to consider taking your students to this exciting event. You can find the registration link here.
Let us remain optimistic for positive developments ahead for TRIO/GEAR UP programs in our area.