FOOD SCIENCE MULTICULTURAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SERD GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0195821
• Grant No.: 2003-38413-13188
• Proposal No.: 2003-03535
• Project Start Date: Jul 1, 2003
• Project End Date: Jun 30, 2008
• Grant Year: 2003
• Program Code: [KF.F6]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Students from traditionally underrepresented groups are also underrepresented in most undergraduate food science programs. Career opportunities for minorities with degrees in food science are exceptional with the demand far exceeding the supply. Few students from inner city high schools and two-year schools serving Native American, African American, and Hispanic American communities are aware that a major in food science even exists. Therefore, the goals of this program are to recruit underrepresented minority students into the undergraduate program in Food Science at Cornell and to provide them with an outstanding education, supportive environment, and career counseling. We will develop a brochure describing the program and work closely with Cornell admissions counselors to aggressively recruit scholars from high schools and 2-year colleges around the state and nation. The project directors will accompany admissions counselors to selected schools with high minority populations to promote the program. In addition, we will develop and conduct training sessions for faculty on effective advising and mentoring strategies to expand faculty awareness of special needs and concerns of minority students. The program will take advantage of numerous programs and support services for minority students already in place at Cornell. Scholars will be matched with a food science professional from the food industry or government. This professional will discuss career options with the scholar and place them in summer internships in their respective organizations.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
903	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

agriculture

teaching

higher education

minorities

ethnic groups

food

assistance

funding

college students

recruitment

retention

education programs

opportunities

counseling

careers

occupational choices

career counseling

career education

Goals / Objectives
The objectives of this project are to recruit underrepresented minority students into the undergraduate program in Food Science at Cornell University and to provide them with an outstanding education, supportive environment, and career counseling.

Project Methods
Recruiting Strategies. We will develop a brochure describing the program. In addition, we will work closely with Cornell admissions counselors to aggressively recruit scholars from high schools and 2-year colleges around the state and nation. The PDs will accompany admissions counselors to selected schools with high minority populations to promote the program. Faculty Training. We will develop and conduct a training session for faculty on effective advising and mentoring. This will be done with the assistance and participation of professionals from the Cornell American Indian Program and the Cornell Office of Minority Affairs. The purpose of this session is to expand faculty awareness of special needs and concerns of minority students and to help them further develop their advising and mentoring skills with particular attention to minority students. Scholar Support. Cornell has in place numerous programs and support services for minority students. In addition, faculty advisors will meet regularly with the scholars to listen to their concerns, offer support, and monitor academic progress. Career Counseling. Scholars will be matched with a food science professional from the food industry or government. This professional will discuss career options with the scholar and place them in summer internships in their respective organizations. Numerous career development services are available on campus as well.

Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/08

Outputs
The objective of this program was to recruit underrepresented minority students into the undergraduate program in Food Science at Cornell University and to provide them with an outstanding education, supportive environment, and career counseling. Several strategies were used to accomplish the objectives. We developed a recruiting brochure and worked with the Cornell Admissions office to target minority students from around the country. Six African American and 5 Hispanic students enrolled as Food Science majors as a direct result of the program. Scholarships provided by the funding from the grant were a major factor in our success at attracting the students to come to Cornell. The enrolled students were assigned to faculty advisors who worked closely with them to provide support, encouragement, and career guidance. Two students withdrew from the program before graduating, 6 have graduated, and 3 are on track to graduate in 2010 or 2011. Of the students who graduated, 1 is working in R&D at Vitarich Labs, 1 is a Ph.D. student at Purdue, 1 is an M.S. student at the U. of Arkansas, 1 is a student at the French Culinary Insitute in New York City, 1 is employed at a winery, and 1 is teaching high school chemistry in New York City. Several of the students were involved in undergraduate research and product development competitions while at Cornell. One student was a co-team leader for a national product development competition sponsored by the Institute of Food Technologists. The team won 2nd place in this competition. Overall, we feel the students in the program were outstanding and the program was successful in meeting its objectives. PRODUCTS: The products of the project are well educated underrepresented minority students prepared for careers in food-related professions. Six students have already graduated and 3 are on track to graduate. OUTCOMES: The outcomes of the project include the recruitment of 11 underrepresented minority students to the Food Science Undergraduate Program at Cornell University. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The activities of the project are disseminated by promoting our successful students as role models for future underrepresented minority students in their home communities and work places. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The project has concluded so there are no formal future initiatives planned. However, we fully expect that graduates of the program will be excellent role models for future food scientists. We plan to invite them back to campus to speak at career nights that we sponsor for currently enrolled students.

Impacts
The impact of the project is two-fold. First, the students who completed the Food Science program at Cornell are well educated and highly qualified for exciting and rewarding careers in food-related professions. Second, the graduates will contribute to national and international efforts to provide a safe, secure, affordable, and nutritious food supply for an expanding global population.

Publications

• No publications reported this period