Source: VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY MULTICULTURAL SCHOLARS` SPECIAL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0228348
Grant No.
2012-38413-19417
Project No.
VAX-ODEH2012
Proposal No.
2011-06258
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
KF
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2012
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2013
Grant Year
2012
Project Director
Odeh, O.
Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
PETERSBURG,VA 23803
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%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
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. 

Progress 06/01/12 to 12/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Undergraduate students (Current Multicultural Scholars) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The three scholar-participants were provided with experiential learning opportunities in research, and government agencies throug summer internships in summer 2012 adn 2013. During the program, they developed/acquired technical and soft skills to enhance their professional development. These enhanced scholars' academic progress and their four year degree completion/graduation rate (100%). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In line with the goal of the grant, three scholars in the Multicultural Scholarship Program (MSP) were offered Special Experiential Learning (SEL) opportunities during the period. The scholars are majoring in Agriculture with a concentration in Agriculture Business and Economics. All three maintained the selection criteria including a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA. Mr. Walker Jones participated in a ten week 2012 Summer Internship Program at the University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He worked in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics where he assisted with research in the area of off-shore energy. Mr. Walker graduated in May 2013 and accepted admission to the University of Delaware. Ms. Bianca Forbes partcipated in two summer program at VSU and USDA Post GraduateProgram (MS) at the University of Delaware. At VSU, she worked on data analysis on socially disadvantaged farmers and rachers in the State Of Virginia and also assisted in coordinating the Department of Agricutlure Summer Enrichment Program for college bound high school juniors and seniors. She also participated in an internship program with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington, DC. Ms. Forbes is currently considering post-graduate studies. Ms Ivahna Evans participated in the USDA/FAS Summer Program and completing the program in early August, 2013. She joined the VSU Multicultural Scholars Program a year after its inception and is entering her senior year at VSU. All scholars have been provided experiential learning opportunities and have tremendously benefited. These experiences and opportunities have prepared them for productive careers after college and have enhanced the completion of their academic program within the four year period. Their experiences have been and will continue to be shared with other students. Progressive impacts are expected in the coming year.

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