Performing Department
School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences
Non Technical Summary
This project supports national efforts to develop a diverse, globally smart workforce to underpin growth, vitality, and sustainability of the US food system through the identification and selection of eligible students who will receive 1890 Scholarships to support their studies in the food and agricultural sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Specifically the project will support students majoring in agriculture, agribusiness, human ecology, and environmental sciences. Selected students matriculating into these majors will receive special support and mentoring to ensure that they complete their degrees in a timely manner and are well prepared for careers in the food and agricultural sciences.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The main goal of this project is to address the national shortfall in the number of trained graduates available to fill positions in the food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, or the environment sectors. The project will achieve this by adopting strategies that are focused on increasing the number of students earning degrees in the Food, Agricultural and Human Sciences, and providing the necessary support to facilitate their pursuit of careers in these fields. Specifically, High School and/or Community College students who are interested in pursuing degrees in Agribusiness Management, General Agriculture, Human Ecology or Environmental Science will be recruited into the program. These students will be awarded scholarships, and provided with specific support and training during their college tenure to ensure that they are successful, complete their studies in a timely manner and are aware of the career opportunities in the relevant areas
Project Methods
The main methods used to implement the key components of the project will be as follows:Student Recruitment: A range of innovative recruitment activities will be implemented including strengthening linkages with top feeder schools and enhanced outreach efforts through the various youth outreach program held on campus each year. Communication and marketing efforts will be increased to ensure that the scholarship program is adequately promoted. Additionally, information will be disseminated electronically and through social media. Recruitment efforts will also include extensive visits to high schools and community colleges.Student Selection and Scholarship Disbursement: A Scholarships Committee comprising of representatives from key offices across campus will review applications and select recipients based on the specific criteria articulated for the program. Selected recipients will be allocated other institutional support for which they are eligible before they are allocated the 1890 scholarships. The Financial Aid Office will ensure that students are not over-allocated. First year students will receive awards for four years and transfer students for two years as long as they continue to fulfill the program requirements. The 1890 scholarship will only be used to cover allowable costs, i.e. tuition, student fees, room and board, and textbooks (or e-books). Recipients will sign a document outlining the conditions governing the award of the scholarships and requirements for continued support.Student training: Students will be required to complete a total of 120 credit hours of University courses. Additionally, students will be strongly encouraged, if not required to participate in research, internships, volunteerism, as well as the wide range of co-curricular activities that are on offer.Student Mentorship: Like other students at the university, scholars in the program will receive regular advising and mentorship, and their performance will be monitored through standard departmental practices. However in addition to this, scholars will be required to meet with the designated program faculty/staff mentor regularlymandatory face to face meetings. A peer mentor program will be established. Students will join a new 1890 Food and Agricultural Sciences Community of Scholars which will organize specific activities including but not limited to shared experiences in workshops such as how to conduct and present research; an introduction to federal agencies and their missions; understanding professional social media; writing an elevator pitch to introduce your promise and potential, and resume writing. The FAS scholars will receive specific attention, including intrusive advising by faculty.Professional Development: Scholars in the program will be required to participate in specially organized professional development activities. This will include workshop and conference attendance and participation in activities focused on professional development including attendance of selected conferences. Students will be strongly encouraged to participate in internships, and specific efforts will be made to ensure they receive appropriate information. Faculty and staff will actively work on linking students with internship opportunities and assisting them in navigating the application processes.Dissemination of Career Opportunities to Students: The program will actively engage with the University Career Office which supports student professional development and provides linkages with potential employers. We will take a multifaceted approach to increasing student knowledge of careers in the food and agricultural sciences. This will include but not be limited to the following: Career seminars and targeted discussions on career options, visits to various private/public sector entities, including both federal and state offices, large and small agricultural enterprises, participation in career fairs organized by the university career office.Reporting and Evaluation: All academic records will be maintained by the Registrar, and these will be accessible to the program staff. However, other data, for instance, records of participation in special programs, internships, seminars, etc. will be maintained by the program staff. All other data will be assembled by the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment. The program office will evaluate and track the progress of scholarship recipients. It will also assemble ad hoc feedback about the program and conduct annual surveys to obtain more structured feedback from recipients as well as exit interviews. The Scholarship committee, which will also act as the Program Advisory Council, will hold meetings every semester to review program implementation and to digest and identify ways to implement any feedback received. We will conduct exit interviews with all scholars when they graduate. Data will also be reported through the SAMS (Student Achievement Measure) collaborative and the Food and Agricultural Education Information System (FAEIS).