Performing Department
College of Agriculture, Family Science, and Technology
Non Technical Summary
The College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST) was awarded the USDA-NIFA 1890 Scholarship Program grant for $2,000,000 for four years. An additional $250,000 discretional money was also awarded for only one year, bringing the total to $2,250,000. Additional discretional funds were added during subsequent years. Overall, a total of 215 scholarships were awarded to 114 scholars totaling up to $779,376 during the 2022-2023 academic year, see Table 1.Table 1SemesterNumber of ScholarsAggregate AmountFall 2022111$402,879Spring 2023104$376,497Total AY 2022215$779,376Club MembershipAlmost all the scholars are members of the FVSU Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Agri-Demic Forum and other discipline specific clubs (Animal Science Club, Vet Science Club, Family and Consumer Science Club, etc.) Professional Development (leadership training, internships, study abroad, etc.): At least, 2 scholars have participated in the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) leadership training. Fourteen (14) scholars participated in the 2023 MANNRS National Conference. Three (3) scholars participated in the 2023 MANRRS National preconference field trip to AGCO headquarters in Atlanta where scholars were introduced to new technologies in tractor manufacturing and were also given tractor driving lessons. One of the scholars was awarded a Farm Credit VIP Scholarship to attend the MANRRS National Conference. In addition, 4 scholars participated in global experiential learning trips to Belize,Ghana, and the Cote D'Ivoire.In terms of internships and undergraduate research, at least 9 scholars interned or participated in research activities at various agribusiness companies, federal Government departments, and universities. These included Land O'Lakes, Syngenta, National Crop Insurance (NCIS), Robins Airforce Base, Fort Valley State University, Wake Forest University, Morehouse School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (US-Davis), and the University of Georgia. Also, five Scholars participated in conference presentations and quiz bowl competitions where one student won first place in poster presentation.1890 Student Awards:1. 2023 Valedictorian2.First place for poster presentation3. 2023 Farm Credit VIP Scholar4. More than 50 scholars were honored by the university at the 2023 Honors Convocation and by College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST) for their academic achievements.Retention:The team worked closely with the university's Student Engagement Achievement (SEA) Center with respect to advisement of freshmen and sophomores. Starting in fall 2022 semester, we started a peer mentoring program through Mentor Collective, a company hired by Motivate and Educate for Achievement (MEA) Center of Excellence to help retain freshmen and sophomores. A total of 39 mentors (juniors and seniors from the CAFST) signed up but only 16 underwent the training. The trained mentors were matched with 31 mentees (freshmen and sophomores). This opportunity was opened to all freshmen in the college, but sophomores were supposed to be FVSU 1890 Scholars. Overall, approximately 97% percent of 2022-2023 scholars were retained.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Non-Technical SummaryThe Scholarships for Students at 1890 institutions (1890 Scholarships) grant will meet the national need for a highly skilled workforce by recruiting, training, and pipelining eighty-two (82) underrepresented outstanding students into productive careers in the food, agriculture, and related fields. The following objectives will be achieved in the project by providing support toIncrease the number of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in food, agriculture, and related sciences through financial assistance in the form of 82 scholarships.Improve soft skills and technical competencies needed for the workforce; andIncrease the competitiveness of students for careers in government and private food, agriculture, and related industries. Ultimately, the project will enhance the number, quality, and diversity of graduates in the food, agricultural sciences, and related fields to satisfy the future demand for a highly skilled workforce for the 21st century and enhance America's competitiveness in the global science and technology economy.Our major goal is to enhance the number, quality, and diversity of graduates in the food, agricultural sciences, and related fields to satisfy the future demand for a highly skilled workforce.
Project Methods
In addition to the financial aid support provided by the 1890 Scholars program, student engagement is key to student success, retention, and degree completion. Student success, retention, degree completion and entry into professional careers are all measurable variables which constitute our value proposition and ROI. Students are routinely provided opportunities to participate in our research laboratories and research station farm. The Dean's office routinely sends opportunities to chairs and faculty to be distributed to students. We encourage students to participate in study abroad and global research opportunities. Co-PI Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim and Dr. Brou Kouakou are associate deans of academics and research, respectively. They take students annually to west Africa to participate in research and cultural activities.Student accomplishments are highlighted by our communications team via institutional and community-wide publications. They are frequently recognized at university events like convocations and commencement.We are engaging our FVSU Ag Alumni meet with our 1890 Scholars during the semester to check on their progress and recommend supports for students who are experiencing difficulties with coursework. We are building community by engaging our scholars with activities like Ag Family Day where we bring students, faculty, staff and extension personnel together so that students see us a resource in and out of the classroom.