Performing Department
Agriculture
Non Technical Summary
The Virginia State University (VSU) Multicultural Scholars' Special Experiential Learning (SEL) program will support three VSU Multicultural scholars through experiential research opportunities to acquire 21st century workforce skills. We build on the strategic plan of the Department of Agriculture to meet the national need for scientists trained in Interdisciplinary, Sustainable Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics Undergraduate Degree Programs areas. We will achieve this goal by providing our students with quality experiential learning opportunities. Specifically, in the summer of 2012, we will place our current three USDA Multicultural scholars in reputable research internship programs to provide the students with the skills and experiences that will prepare them to be successful professionals in the food and agricultural industry. Our commitment to provide high achieving students from underrepresented groups with quality education will also aid in enhancing multicultural diversity in the nation's agricultural, scientific and professional workforce, as well as offer students rewarding careers in Agriculture.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
The project objective is to provide the scholars with quality experiential learning opportunities. Specifically, in the summer of 2012, our current three USDA Multicultural scholars will be placed in reputable research internship programs that have committed to providing the students with the skills and experiences that will prepare them to be successful professionals in the food and agricultural industry. Scholars/interns are expected to possess the following core competencies upon graduation from our undergraduate programs: (i) Exhibit practical, rich and scientific experiences through active participation in faculty supervised research projects, research and industry internships (experiential learning) and special projects. (ii) Critical thinking, quantitative, problem solving and analytical skills evidenced by scientific work in at least one research article publication, poster and/or conference presentation before graduation. (iii) Exhibit leadership, management and communication skills evidenced by prominent and active roles in educational and professional organizations and clubs. (iv) Scholars successful in completing their degrees on schedule (4 years) and scholars' completion rate would be 100% as a result of our high standards for selection and support structure.
Project Methods
The project approach include: 1) Advance preparation; 2) Scholar Application Processing/Screening; 3) Mentor-Scholar Pairing; 4) Internship Exercise will consist of a) Course registration b) Orientation c) Internship Plan d) Bi-weekly reporting e) Mid-summer evaluation f) Employer evaluation; Final Report and Oral presentation (SEL Sites) 3) Dissemination of SEL experience (VSU) 3) Exit Interview and SEL Program Conclusion 4)VSU-MSP SEL Report.