Recipient Organization
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
1005 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE
FORT VALLEY,GA 31030
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.Sustained fundng of Scholarships for Students at 1890 institutions (1890 Scholarships) grant will meet the national need for a highly skilled workforce by recruiting, training, and pipelining outstanding students into productive careers in the food, agriculture, and related fields.Funding will allow us to:1. Increase the number of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in food, agriculture, and related sciences throughfinancial assistance2. Improve soft skills and technical competencies needed for the workforce; and3. Increase 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.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The 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 to:1) increase the number of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in food, agriculture, and related sciences through financial assistance in the form of 82 scholarship2) Improve soft skills and technical competencies needed for the workforce; and3) increase 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 demands 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 will engage 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.