Non Technical Summary
The current environmental challenges, the growing agricultural needs, and the demand for more novel and practical approaches to resolve the agricultural and environmental concerns have increased the need for well-trained individuals to address these growing issues. Unfortunately, minorities, especially African Americans, are underrepresented within the sciences. Therefore, there is a critical need for highly educated scientists, professionals, and public administrators from diverse backgrounds to bridge the gap. To this end, AAMU's College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences (CALNS) is proposing a strategic project to recruit, retain and graduate students (especially minority and underrepresented groups) in agricultural and related sciences. The project supports NIFA and AAMU's priorities by addressing two critical needs. 1) Increasing the number of graduates with baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences and 2) Preparing graduates that meet the technologically advanced needs of the 21st-century food and agricultural systems workforce that will facilitate rural prosperity and economic development. The project will address one critical challenge (limited financial support) driving the continued dropouts and stop-outs by capable students from low-income communities. Project success is vested in rigorous recruitment and retention plans centered on student mentoring and academic counseling, with support from AAMU teaching staff, admissions, career development services, and the Honors program. Progress will be monitored periodically using formative and summative evaluations, and longitudinal tracking of graduates.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0199	1060	100%

Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of the project is to develop a strong program to prepare globally competitive scholars with active participation by qualified faculty that is committed to follow a mentoring path, which has been improved over decades for undergraduate students at Alabama A&M University.The project will implement the following objectives:Recruit students with strong interest and academic potential for pursuing a professional career in food, agricultural and related sciences.Retain and graduate high school and junior college transfer students in bachelor's degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields.Enhance the diversity of the workforce in high demand food and agricultural science disciplines so that U.S. agriculture remains globally competitive.

Project Methods
Mentoring plans for Scholars: When selected students arrive at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) they will receive a structured orientation. Included in the orientation will be meetings with the Program Implementation Committee (PIC) and the PI and co-PI of the 1890 Scholars project. Following the orientation, Scholars will be advised by an academic counselor in the Freshman Academy and a PIC advisor. In addition, each academic department Chair will have met the 1890 Scholar that plans to enroll in a chosen major. After completion of 31 credits, the advisement of an 1890 Scholar will be taken over by the department faculty/PIC member who will advise the Scholars and insure timely completion of his/her BS degree. The academic advisor and the research mentor (if different) will plan academic and hands-on research engagement.Scholar development plan: The 1890 scholars will be required to complete an Individualized Student Development Plan (SDP). The SDP will focus on three (3) broad areas that are known to influence educational success: academic development, professional/career development, and social/personal development.Dissemination of existing career development activities: At the beginning of the junior year, the discussion of career development activities will begin with the academic and research advisor and will be further solidified during internship experiences. The Career Development Services (CDS) at AAMU will begin to establish contacts with the 1890 Scholars right at the inception to orient students to prepare for professional success before graduation. Whether it's a career, graduate or professional school, the CDS staff will help assist 1890 Scholars to work with them to prepare resume and interview for positions that meets their career goals. Career Counselors also make classroom or group presentation to students. Lastly, students on field trips or while attending career fairs either at AAMU or in professional meetings (not charged to this grant but supported by a given mentor) will be an added avenue of identifying career choices.Mechanisms for monitoring Scholars' progress and performance: Academic advisors in the department routinely examine the midterm and final grades to keep track of GPAs as well as student progress towards degree completion. Several academic advisement instruments are available in each degree major which help both the student and the academic advisor to keep track of academic progress. Particularly, we use DegreeWorks software for student mentoring. For students: DegreeWorks provides real-time advice and counsel, speeds time to graduation, provides intuitive web access to self-service capabilities, streamlines the graduation process, and allows direct access to multiple related services and advice through hyperlinks to catalog information, class schedules, transcripts, help desk services, and FAQs. For academic advisors: DegreeWorks supports real-time delivery of academic advice through intuitive web interfaces, minimizes errors through consistent degree plans, supports more timely degree certification, reduces paperwork and manual program check sheets, and supports and monitors unique program changes.