Durant, Oklahoma -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University junior Hailie Pittman has been selected to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Yale University in the summer of 2025.
Pittman is an English major from Atoka who will be participating in the McNair Scholars program in the next academic year. She has been on the Green Eggs and Hamlet editing staff, including when it was nationally recognized for distinction during her term as editor-in-chief, as well as the Southeastern Cheer team.
The SURF program brings a group of undergraduates to Yale for eight weeks to explore what a Ph.D. could offer them. Participants will learn about the kind of work they can expect to do in graduate school, gain insight into building a career based on Ph.D.-level training, and become more confident in their academic abilities and potential.
“I am thrilled that Yale recognizes Hailie’s potential as a scholar, and that she will have the opportunity to experience the world-class resources Yale has to offer. She is passionate about her goal to be the first in her family to earn a PhD, and this research fellowship will help her immensely on that journey,” said Dr. Meg Cotter-Lynch, Honors Program Director and Hailie’s McNair mentor.
During the program, Pittman will be immersed in an academic, professional setting with a faculty mentor from Yale’s Department of Comparative Literature and a cohort of 7-8 other undergraduate students from around the country. The program focuses on research, where Pittman will pursue an individual research project and participate in workshops and panel discussions, working closely with mentors and using the extraordinary resources found in Yale's libraries.
Pittman will learn to present her research effectively to colleagues, develop a proposal, give a final presentation to SURF peers, submit a written final paper, and present at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.
“I am so excited for the SURF program, and for the doors a summer term at Yale will open for me. It’s going to be the opportunity of a lifetime!” said Pittman, “I’m especially looking forward to working with a group of students in a research cohort who have similar interests and to gain experience in postgraduate level work.”
About Southeastern
Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides an environment of academic excellence that enables students to reach their highest potential. By having personal access to excellent teaching, challenging academic programs, and extracurricular experiences, students will develop skills and habits that promote values for career preparation, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. Our over 6,000 students include 50% first-generation students and 28% students of Native American descent, with 82% receiving financial aid. Southeastern ranks amongst the most affordable schools in the region thanks to out-of-state tuition waivers and is proud of its exceptional affordable accredited MBA program, stellar aerospace and teacher education programs, and outstanding national ranking in graduating Native American students.
