Progress 03/01/03 to 02/28/08
Outputs
The multicultural scholars program (MCSP) in the School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU) was established under the direction of the Dean, coordinated by the project director, in close cooperation with the existing school's recruitment committee. The main purpose of the grant was to recruit, train and graduate two African-American freshmen students and four Native-American (American Indians) students for the B.S. degree in Agricultural Sciences at TSU. An information booklet detailing purpose of the MCSP, amount and duration of scholarship and eligibility requirements was developed and distributed in targeted schools and community colleges. This booklet also provided information about TSU's Agriculture Program and about TSU, and application form for applying under the program. Some students who applied for the USDA/1890 National Scholars program at TSU were directly mailed the MCSP information and application form. Two
African-American freshmen students were successfully recruited from the Chicago, Illinois area to begin their program in Agricultural Sciences at TSU from the fall of 2003. To recruit Junior American -Indian students partnerships were developed with three tribal community colleges on reservations in Montana. Two faculty members visited these colleges and met with faculty, administrators and prospective students. In spite of best efforts the School was unable to attract any American-Indian junior student for the scholarship. Students were not convinced that there was enough financial incentive for them to leave home and travel that far as most of students were living at home and had never travelled out of state. Most of the prospective American-Indian students, approached for scholarship, gave one reason for not able to accept the scholarship at TSU - that is they do not want to move away from their family and community. This was also partly due to changes made in rules for
out-of-state fee waivers, after the project was funded. These changes were instituted by the Board of Regents and because of these the TSU President was not able to grant fee waivers for the out- of- state students as we had anticipated. Efforts were also made to recruit junior American-Indian students in Tennessee community colleges but were not successful. Out of two recruited freshmen African-American students one had difficulty in passing general education courses in the junior year and was put on probation. Despite the assistance provided by the university academic center, project staff, and the mentor student failed to bring grades up and did not register for the fall semester 2007. The second student continued to make good progress and graduated in May 2007. The students were assigned mentors (researchers in the school) as mentors and the advisers met with them regularly along with the project staff to discuss any academic or other problems. Students were encouraged and
facilitated to attend MANARS and other professional meetings. During the summer months student was placed on internship program under the mentorship of a professional in the agency where the student was interning.
PRODUCTS: One well trained African-American student graduated with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Sciences.
OUTCOMES: The projct staff and the School of Agriculture and Consumer Science recruitment committee learned about recruitment difficulties among American-Indian communities. This will help the staff in developing future recruitment strategies and efforts for the program.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: No dissemination activities.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Contacts with teachers and counselers in schools and community colleges are being continued to encourage more students to join agriculture program at TSU in future. Sources for grants / scholarships are identified and applied for.
Impacts
Increase in enrollment and graduation of minority students in agriculture programs indirectly assists in meeting the workforce diversity goals, both in private and public sectors. Students obtained fist hand experience of working and interacting with professionals which will help them to be better trained professionals.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Out of the two African -American students for whom funding started in the fall of 2003, one had difficulty in passing required courses in the junior year in general education and was put on probation. Despite the academic assistance provided by the university academic center and the mentor student failed to bring grades up and did not register for the fall semester 2007. The second student, now a senior, is making good progress and is expected to graduate in May 2007. The student attended MANARS and other professional meetings. The search for two Native American students for scholarships both in-state and out-of state did not produce any results. Most of the prospective Native American students, approached for scholarship, gave one reason for not able to accept the scholarship at TSU that is they do not want to move away from their community.
PRODUCTS: Two scholarships were made available to two African -American students in Agricultural Sciences program.
OUTCOMES: One student was placed in the internship program under the mentorship of agency professional where she was exposed to the real life management situations and assisted in solving problems. Students also attended professional meetings where they observed and participated in presentations and interacted with professionals.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: No dissemination activities during this period.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Contacts with agriculture school teachers and counselors are being continued to encourage more students to join TSU agriculture program in future. Future sources for grants/ scholarships will be identified and applied for.
Impacts
Increase in enrollment of students in the agriculture program and indirectly assist in meeting the work force diversity goals in agriculture, both in private and public sectors. Students obtained first hand experience of working and interacting with professionals which will help them to be a better professional when they join the work force.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The two African- American students for whom funding started in the Fall of 2003 are progressing well. Both of these students are classified as juiniors. One student had some difficulty in elective courses. This student is being advised and was provided academic assistance to do better in these courses. Mentoring and advisement program established for these students is being continued. The two students have attended MANARS and other professional meetings such as Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists annual meetings. Currently two undergraduate (junior) students from the Native American population of Tennessee are being sought for scholarships.
PRODUCTS: No product produced.
OUTCOMES: Two African -American students are making progress towards their undergraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: We have discussed our recruitment and mentoring efforts with faculty members at other institutions at various professional meetings.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Efforts are being made to secure funds for scholarships or financial aid for minority students from other sources including foundations.
Impacts
Students currently enrolled under the program have encouraged sudents, friends in their schools and neighborhoods to apply for scholarships offered under the program at Tennessee State University. This will provide us a larger pool of minority students to be selected and admitted in our Agricultural Sciences program.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Scholarships were provided to two fresmen African -American students in the Fall of 2003 to complete Bachelor of Sciece degree in Agricultural Sciences at Tennessee State Universitry. Both students are now claasied as sophomore and are progrssing well academically. Search for two native American junior students in community colleges both within the state and outside the state such as Montana is continuing. Several groups within the state have been contacted and progress has been made in recruting two native American students with scholarship as juinors.
PRODUCTS:
OUTCOMES: Two African- American students have been recruited on scholarships to complete Bachelor of Science degree
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES:
FUTURE INITIATIVES:
Impacts
More awareness of Agricultural Sciences program in Chicago, urban area. Project when completed, will increase the number of well trained minority graduates in Agricultural Sciences.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The main purpose of the project is to recruit and train two African-American freshmen and four junior students belonging to Native -American minority group in the Agricultural Sciences program at Tennessee State University. During the period reported two African -American fresmen students have been recuited and admitted into the program. Progress is being made in recruiting Native-American students.Strategies have been developed and being implemented to create awareness about the program and increase retention of students. A mentoring and role model program has been developed using faculty/staff, alumni, and represetatives from agribusinesses.
Impacts
The project, when completed, will increase the number of minorities trained in Agricultural Sciences and help meet the workforce diversity goals of vcarious public and private sector organizations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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