Carol L. Cheatham, Ph.D. presented with National TRIO Achiever’s Award

Carol L. Cheatham, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology is one of 13 faculty members at the Nutrition Research Institute. Her research focuses on how nutrition can improve brain function. Specifically, her team studies the importance of nutrients for the development of memory and attention abilities. Dr. Cheatham got her start at the University of Wyoming where she was a McNair Scholar.
On September 9, at Council for Opportunity in Education’s 33^rd Annual Conference Gala, Dr. Cheatham was bestowed the 2014 National TRIO Achiever’s Award. The National TRIO Achiever’s award was created as a tribute to the success and outstanding endeavors of TRIO students and the programs that supported them in their journey to accomplished careers. TRIO is a set of federally-funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree.
Dr. Cheatham was part of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program. The program is designed to encourage first generation and minority undergraduates to consider careers in academia as well as prepare for doctoral study. This program supported Dr. Cheatham, a single mother and first generation college student, in numerous ways, allowing her to receive her doctorate and eventually join the NRI as a prestigious faculty member.
Speaking of her experience as a McNair Scholar, Dr. Cheatham stated, “I believe so much in the McNair Program that I have gone on to ‘pay it forward.’ During my time at the University of Minnesota and during my postdoc at the University of Kansas, I was involved in mentoring students and teaching for their respective McNair programs.”
The NRI celebrates with her in this accomplishment. Congratulations Dr. Cheatham!