Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During the first year of this USDA Planning Grant, our faculty team at Cal Poly Pomona has made great progress toward elevating the current MS option in Food Science and Technology (FST) into a stand-alone MS program. Key objectives included curriculum redesign, faculty team building, and partnership development with industry and government stakeholders. With IRB approval secured (CPP IRB-24-178), we conducted stakeholder surveys involving alumni, current students, industrial partners, and academic collaborators to gather critical input on program needs, culminating experience tracks, and workforce alignment. Survey results reinforced demand for multiple career tracks, skills in problem-solving and applied food safety, and curriculum focus on emerging topics such assustainable food production. This data now informs our course development and program design moving forward toward full proposal submission in 2026. The project engaged a diverse target audience during this reporting period: FST Alumni (n=56): Engaged during the FST 25-Year Anniversary celebration. Most resided in Southern California (93%) and worked across sectors such as R&D, QA/QC, and regulatory affairs. 54% believed a master's degree is necessary to advance in food science careers. Academic Collaborators (n=9): Primarily PhDs, these partners validated the need for MS-level education in FST and offered feedback on preferred program structures. Industrial Partners (n=4): Participated via symposium and survey. All preferred project-based culminating options and emphasized applied training needs. Current Students (n=13): Shared post-graduation plans and track preferences, showing strong interest in project-based MS options for career advancement. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Participating faculty engaged in curriculum planning and research coordination meetings (monthly PIs, quarterly all-faculty). Exposure to applied IRB protocol development and stakeholder engagement. Faculty received feedback from alumni and industry to align new courses with workforce readiness goals. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Survey results and project framework shared with FST alumni and partners during anniversary events and symposium. Advisory board recruitment initiated using survey data to demonstrate program relevance and industry demand. Discussions with industry and government partners to define internship and collaboration models for the future MS program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Host second stakeholder hearing in Fall 2025 in conjunction with the 2nd Plant-based Food Symposium, and also to finalize advisory board membership. Refine new course proposals and roadmaps based on survey input and CSU Chancellor's Office's guidelines. Initiate drafting of the full proposal with responsibilities assigned across PI and co-PI team. Develop recruitment materials and promotion strategy for the elevated MS program.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? IRB approval secured for survey data collection. Stakeholder survey conducted, engaging >80 participants across alumni, students, industry, and academic sectors. Curriculum framework drafted, outlining three subplans with aligned elective and culminating experiences. Industry relevance verified through stakeholder data: trending topics (e.g., food safety, sustainable production) and desired skillsets (problem-solving, food labeling, Excel, HACCP). Project-based tracks validated as the preferred option by alumni (48%), current students (54%), and industrial partners (75%). Advisory board building in progress for formalization in Year 2.

Publications