Progress 06/01/24 to 05/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include first-year undergraduate students majoring in fields related to agriculture, health, and natural resources at Waterbury and Stamford. Our outreach efforts this year targeted students at both campuses. Among our 11 initial cohort members, 10 are state residents who began their studies at regional campuses within their local areas. In our second cohort, many students come from the local area, but we have also seen an increase in out-of-state enrollment. While only one student in our first cohort was from out of state, we now have two out-of-state students, demonstrating our expanding reach. Additionally, we continue to create opportunities for second-year and sophomore students to apply to the program. We've also observed strong interest in majors such as animal science, agriculture and natural resources, and environmental sciences. All 19 of our students have expressed a desire to broaden their career prospects and better understand the resources available to them. Many are eager to explore federal institutions and potential career connections within their chosen fields. Retention remains a challenge; three students have exited the program due to academic struggles or personal leave within the 2024-2025 academic year. These retention issues underscore the challenges institutions face in maintaining student engagement and success. To better support students, we are prioritizing continuous outreach efforts, additional mentorship meetings, and improved communication tools to help them stay connected and receive the necessary guidance throughout their academic journey. Our summer internship program is designed to provide high-impact, hands-on experiences for students in collaboration with our over 16 partner organizations across our state. Each partner focuses on a unique aspect of human, environmental, urban, or rural development such as sustainable farming, animal care, aquaculture, green housing, nursery operations, chemistry, and environmental sciences. These internships are primarily offered in state organizations, with some national collaborations like Green Chimneys and Green our Planet. Through these placements, students gain valuable real-world experience, build critical skills, and explore future career paths. We are always seeking new partners to help grow and diversify our program to meet the evolving interests and needs of students. By collaborating with us, these organization can play a vital role in workforce development while benefiting from student talent and innovation. Changes/Problems:Some of the challenges we faced through the year include student recruitment, survey accessibility, and response retention have persisted throughout our data collection efforts. One of the primary difficulties has been maintaining participation from the same individuals across multiple survey points while also expanding the pool of student respondents. To mitigate these challenges, we have employed several outreach strategies designed to improve accessibility and visibility. These efforts include targeted email campaigns, promotion through campus digital signage, outreach via university-wide email blasts, and inclusion in official university announcement digests. Despite these measures and the use of incentives, response rates, particularly among students outside our cohort have remained inconsistent. While engagement has been more sustainable within our internal student group, maintaining participation among broader student populations has proven significantly more challenging. This may ultimately affect the consistency and comprehensiveness of the data collected. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program has provided valuable opportunities for training and professional development. Events such as the Internship Application Sessions, USDA Careers, and Seminar talks from USDA Professionals Workshop have been instrumental in equipping students with essential professional skills. These sessions provide an overview of careers and the various agencies within the USDA. They also guide students through navigating career paths and exploring opportunities available to undergraduates, including where to search for internships and jobs related to the USDA. Additionally, the 1-credit course offered in the spring was particularly beneficial. This course focuses on developing essential skills each week, covering topics such as cultural competency, public speaking, and professional writing. This course has significantly contributed to students' professional and academic growth, where they could practice professional skills that are not normally taught within their discipline. Cohort one participated in a one-credit fall course where they continued to explore careers relevant to their interests. In addition, they took part in a mentorship component, being paired with senior or junior students in their major and on their respective campuses. This mentorship provided guidance and support while also preparing them to serve as mentors for cohort two in the Fall 2025 course. The Internship Preparation Workshop on May 22nd, held in collaboration with the University Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, provided students with valuable insights to support their internship success. The session focused on essential skills such as email etiquette, effective communication, career competencies, networking, and time management, it helped students make a strong impression and navigate their professional development with confidence. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to the public and key stakeholders through various recruitment and outreach events. Notable events include WISHFest, where interactions with students, teachers, and counselors from different schools in the Waterbury area took place. Additionally, tabling at open houses and speaking at high school tours has raised awareness about the program and the majors offered by the college. Engaging with high school students has been particularly beneficial, allowing them to explore the program's offerings early on and help them consider if it aligns with their career aspirations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Engagement with the agency would be highly beneficial for students, providing them with valuable insights into available opportunities within the department. It would also help them explore career paths that align with their field of study, making essential resources and directions more accessible. To enhance community engagement and highlight our students' progress, we aim to organize annual showcases starting after the cohort's second year. These events will be open to campus students and community members, providing greater opportunities for participation in events like Wish Fest. We also plan to encourage our first cohort to present their experiences to the second cohort, offering guidance and mentorship to support their growth and success. By acting as mentors, they will help foster a stronger sense of community and distinction within the program. Additionally, we will celebrate their achievements in a formal setting, similar to a symposium, where their academic and internship successes can be recognized.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The primary goal of this project is to strengthen the workforce in food, agriculture, natural resources, and health (FANH) by engaging students at UConn's Waterbury and Stamford regional campuses. We aim to introduce these populations to the various disciplines within FANH, spanning both urban and rural contexts. Building on our ongoing support for the initial student cohorts andfoster a sense of belonging and academic success, we provide tuition stipends, academic support, and experiential learning opportunities. These include paid internships and a one-credit professional skills development course, designed to enhance students' exposure to FANH careers. Furthermore, to ensure their continued success, students from both cohorts are required to participate in one-on-one meetings with our program coordinator twice per semester. These personalized sessions offer tailored guidance and support throughout the academic year, helping students navigate challenges and maximize their potential. Some students have said: "University of Connecticut Regional Campus USDA CAHNR Fellows Program has played a significant role in my development as a college student. It provided me with invaluable mentorship, guidance, and exposure to career opportunities that helped shape my academic and professional path." "Our program coordinator being such a consistent point of contact throughout the semester made a huge difference. She answered questions, provided support when I needed it most, and made my transition from UConn Waterbury to the Storrs campus smooth and stress-free. Her presence helped me stay grounded and confident during a critical time in my academic journey." "The opportunities and classes within this program have helped provide me with guidance in my career path. I've always had a set idea of what I want to do in the future but figuring out logistics, seeing it applied in the real world, or being introduced to other options are so helpful when it comes to figuring out what classes or credits I need." Impact and Outcomes By the end of the 2024-2025 academic year 9 students remained in cohort one, and 10 in cohort two, with 9 cohort members securing internships either through the program or independently, showcasing the effectiveness of our professional development initiatives. Four of our cohort students expressed interest in pursuing careers within the FANH fields and the federal sector following various workshops attended this year. Throughout the semester, two of our student personnel reached out to USDA liaison Mina Gomez for additional support and answers to their questions. Of the 25 available internship positions, 18 have been successfully filled, ensuring that at least one UConn student is placed at each participating organization. Students highly valued the internships and career development gained from the program. Here are some quotes from our students: "I'm especially grateful for the session with Hermina Gomez, who walked us through the USAJobs application process and explained what federal employers look for in candidates. During our one-on-one meeting, she gave me personalized advice based on my past experiences and helped identify USDA programs that would be the best fit for my interests and skills" "Working on Green our Planet's project has been an incredible experience. I successfully launched the first survey in four versions--both in English and Spanish--and have been closely monitoring responses. From crafting standardized documents like FAQs and email templates to sending out communications, every step has strengthened my organizational and analytical skills" Community Engagement We actively participated in campus open houses and various tabling events, engaging high school students and their families. These events significantly enhanced awareness of our program's presence at UConn's Stamford and Waterbury campuses. By promoting the program, we ensured that more students learned about the available support and the opportunities to explore career paths in food, agriculture, natural resources, and health (FANH). During the spring job fair at the Stamford campus, two students and two participants from previous summer internship program stopped by our table to discuss their future plans. I encouraged them to explore our latest listings and seek out opportunities within the program. Our internship application sessions played a vital role in helping students prepare. Three cohort students and two non-cohort students participated, receiving guidance on navigating the application process and developing strong application materials. Additionally, UConn Waterbury hosted WISH Fest, where high school students, counselors, and educators gathered to learn about campus programs. Four of our cohort students and program coordinator engaged with attendees at a dedicated table, assisting students in discovering opportunities that align with their academic and career aspirations. Meanwhile, the program coordinator connected with various school counselors to share valuable information about our program offerings, ensuring students who may be interested receive the necessary guidance. One cohort student who participated in the tabling said "WISHFest was really fun! I was scared at first, but it was great talking to all those students and telling them about my major and its program." Future Directions These efforts not only provide immediate support and opportunities for current students but also lay the foundation for future students to enter and learn more about the professional fields related to food, agriculture, natural resources, and health. Having built a track for our current student, we know what is necessary for new students interested in participating in the program as well as what needed for our first cohort to aid them in gaining the necessary experience and prepare for their future careers.

Publications

Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include first-year undergraduate students majoring in fields related to agriculture, health, and natural resources at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) such as UConn Waterbury and UConn Stamford, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, first-generation students, and those with financial needs (Pell grant eligible). Our secondary audience comprises students who do not meet these criteria, such as white students without financial need, who can participate as NextGen fellows but may receive grant funding after priority students are supported. Non-traditional students, including transfer students not in their first year at UConn Waterbury/UConn Stamford, are also encouraged to apply. Opportunities for paid summer and year-round internships are available to all interested UConn Waterbury UConn Stamford students in FANH fields. Our outreach efforts this year targeted students at both campuses, prioritizing first-generation and minority students. We have allocated multiple spots within the cohort to students from these groups and explored ways to enhance outreach to Latino students in these communities and schools. While ethnic and racial minorities comprise the majority of our cohort, among our current 11 students, 3 identify as Latino, 2 as Black, 3 as Asian American, and 3 as white. Additionally, 8 of our 11 students are first-generation, and 9 are considered to have financial assistance needs based on self-identification reports from financial aid offices. Among our initial cohort, one student, identified as non-traditional, has since left the university for personal reasons. Retention issues, including two students leaving due to academic failure or personal leave, highlight challenges faced by Hispanic-serving institutions. Continuing to maintain our existing cohort and target audience presents challenges, including the need for caution in identifying and retaining our target audiences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The freshmen cohort at the Waterbury and Stamford campuses received tuition support and are enrolled in professional skill-building classes. In year 1, we developed two one-credit courses offered at both HSI campuses (Waterbury and Stamford) and enrolled 11 students in each course from our Cohort 1. In these courses, students learned about different disciplines related to FANH, career opportunities in FAHN and USDA, connected with peers and faculty in their disciplines, developed their essential skills in resume writing, communication, and teamwork. Students gained knowledge of other FANH fields, career opportunities, and tools to explore their career pathways. Students had access to paid internships and participated in application sessions to develop resumes and cover letters with career development personnel. From May 22 to August 16, 2 interns worked at Nourish Bridgeport, 1 intern at Food Rescue, 1 intern at New Opportunities, 1 intern at Fairgate Farms, 2 interns at Arome Science, 2 interns at Brass City Harvest, 1 intern at Nanionix, 1 intern at Foot Traffic Stats, 1 intern at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and 1 intern at Ideas + Impact. Two internships that began in the summer will have students continuing their work throughout the 2024-2025 academic year at Green Our Planet and VAW Global Health. USDA HSI liaison, Mina Gomez, held two workshops at the Stamford campus based on navigating the USAJOBS website, finding internships and pathways programs within the USDA as well as a federal government resume workshop. We also held two application sessions for our summer internship program. Students developed a sense of community within the CAHNR Fellows Program and established connections with faculty and staff on their campus. Three of our cohort students expressed interest in pursuing careers within the FANH fields and the federal sector following various workshops attended this year. "CAHNR Fellows helped me with my resume and cover letters through workshops and personal support from our teacher. Additionally, it helped me build friendships because the class size is small, and we are the only ones taking this class, so we are always together" -- Crystal Quiros, CAHNR Fellows Cohort 1, Sophomore Allied Health Sciences How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We participated in campus open houses and various tabling events, engaging with high school students and their families. These events increased awareness of the program's presence at the Stamford and Waterbury campuses. By promoting the program, we ensured that more students knew about the support available to them, and the effort to foster an environment where they can thrive and explore potential career paths in FANH fields. During the spring job fair at the Stamford campus, one student, Sasha Noboa, who interns with our partner Green our Planet was able to learn about the internship listing from our coordinator and expressed interest in applying for the position she has now received. Our internship application sessions were instrumental in helping cohort 1 students, Crystal Quiros and Sydney Volovski, prepare for their internship applications and build strong application materials. Additionally, our CAHNR Fellows Preview Day, introduced three incoming cohort members--Ayana Armstrong, Izzy Taylor, and Jesuan Concepcion, who attended the spring event and were accepted into CAHNR Fellows cohort 2, to the program and 1 credit seminars. Another interaction with cohort 2 member, Evan Williams, occurred in the fall during survey distribution and at our internship application tabling on the Waterbury Campus. At the spring open house, new fellow, Kaylee Strawson's, family also attended and learned about the opportunities available through the CAHNR Fellows Program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the upcoming reporting period, we aim to expand our efforts and continue building on the successes achieved so far. We anticipate participating in the E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship in Washington, D.C. this July, to gain insights into how other programs facilitate connections among their student populations and careers within the USDA. This experience will also help inform our plans to sustain equitable programming beyond the current grant. Since the launch of our internship program, we have placed 19 students and aim to expand these partnerships for next summer, particularly with organizations closer to the USDA. Students within the cohort have completed interest forms with aim at the possibility of tailoring internship placements within USDA agencies. Additionally, we hope to support students in attending USDA summits and events in Washington, D.C., despite previous limitations due to short notice and prior commitments. To enhance community engagement and showcase our student's progress, we hope that after the cohort's second year to organize annual showcases open to campus students and community members. These events will highlight internships and academic achievements, share available resources, and promote the benefits of participating in our program and pursuing majors in the FANH fields.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Scholarships: In year 1, 11 students (Cohort 1) were provided a scholarship to cover in-state tuition with the potential to receive this scholarship for four years, 72% of students were URM and 72% were first generation students. This financial support reduced the burden of debt and having to work to support their undergraduate education costs. "Being a CAHNR Fellow has been an extraordinary privilege. Since my father is retired, I am solely responsible for the majority of my tuition fees so, any kind of ease of that burden I can get is tremendously helpful. The program has granted me access to many unique opportunities that have allowed me to understand the diverse roles of agricultural employment better. " - Michael Iwanicki, CAHNR Fellows Cohort 1, Junior, Allied Health Sciences Internships In year 1, 16 students completed summer internships averaging 20 hours a week supported by a $5,000 stipend.Organizations like Nanoionix, Green Our Planet, NOURish Bridgeport, and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital have benefited from student involvement in various roles. At Green Our Planet, students help evaluate program impacts on STEM academic achievement. At NOURish Bridgeport, tasks include pruning plants, addressing plant issues, using food-grade hydrogen peroxide, and understanding pH and nutrient differences. Other opportunities involved outreach, operating a printer, translating Spanish, drafting letters, and creating flyers. At Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, students provided general assistance to staff and patients. Many partners have appreciated the student connections and the quality of work over the summer: Leah Kuzio, Data and Impact Analyst at Green Our Planet, said, "I am blown away by her work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for her project. She is reaching every milestone and exceeding expectations." Dana Totir from Nanoionix, "Matthew did an exceptional job on his internship project. We were very impressed with his performance.s. We would be interested in hosting UConn summer students in 2025. This was a great experience for Nanoionix, and we are grateful for the USDA NextGen Grant that made this internship possible." Students highly valued the internships for the professional skills they acquired. Here are some quotes from our students: "I was responsible for putting together NourishedRx's Supplier Diversity Program. This was a taxing but rewarding process. My experience this summer taught me a lot about what I want to do in the future and what I don't want to do. I also learned about the importance of flexibility and accountability. I enjoyed my experience at NourishedRx and I am very grateful for the CAHNR Fellowship program!" - Erin Corbett, Junior, Allied Health Science "The CAHNR Fellows program's application system was straightforward, which is always preferred, which made the process smooth. My internship experience has been incredibly enriching, providing hands-on opportunities to apply my skills in real-world scenarios. This experience has significantly contributed to my professional growth, enhancing my communication skills, and overall confidence in real world settings." -Giselle Acosta, Junior, Allied Health Science "The CAHNR Fellows program was great. It gave me an opportunity, I would never have received on my own. Furthermore, as a younger student it gave me a chance to prove myself when no one else would. I worked hard to show my usefulness, and I liked that the CAHNR Fellows program did not restrict what I could do. I really worked with my company to fulfill their needs while gaining valuable experience. It was a great experience." - Matthiew Li, Junior, Biomedical Engineering "This is experience was great. This job helped me get into the routine of a work like schedule. It's different from school and sometimes it's easy to get lost because there isn't always a lecture or specific instructions. It gave me the ability to think beyond just the theory and apply what I know in the real world. This could be when I was doing calculations for concentrations or figuring out how to package different kits. There were many skills I gained that I will continue to use." - Neha Hemanth, Senior, Biomedical Engineering

Publications