[2][3] She then earned her Master's and doctoral degrees from Stony Brook University.

[4] She initially worked as a psychologist in Poughkeepsie, New York at Vassar College.

[2] Her research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and focused on community interventions targeting substance abuse in African-American Youth.

[6][4] McNair joined Spelman College in 2004, working as Associate Provost of Research.

[8] In 2011 McNair joined Wagner College as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.