Progress 12/15/05 to 12/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We began the program with four student scholars, and lost three in the first two years, two for academic reasons, the third withdrew because of serious health reasons. We made two re-awards, and lost one of those students for academic reasons, the other transferred to an institution to be closer to home, but stayed with an agricultural program. We were successful in graduating one of our original student scholars; he graduated in spring 2011 with a BS degree in agricultural business and is currently employed although in a temporary position. The most significant dissemination activities surrounded our successful student scholar. He was engaged in his academic studies and in extra-curricular activities. He receive awards as a student volunteer and leader, held leadership roles in student organizations, and participated in several undergraduate research projects that resulted in poster or oral presentations at UW-System Symposia, the annual UW Posters in the Capital Rotunda Day, and the National Council for Undergraduate Research (NCUR). He also traveled back to his high school and encouraged other students to consider college and agriculture programs in particular. Our ongoing pre-college summer program with Vincent High School in Milwaukee has been strengthened because of his participation. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Of the six students that were enrolled in the program for some period of time, half left the program for academic reasons, two for personal reasons, and even our successful scholar had to take a semester break in his studies for personal/family reasons. We anticipated there would be some challenges on the academic side, we did not anticipate the extent of the challenges on the personal side. The issues were exacerbated because most of the students were far from home, so working through personal and/or family challenges under those circumstances was especially difficult. In any future programs more attention would need to be paid to this issue to have a more successful outcome. It is possible that on-line or other modified instructional methods would be helpful with this group of students. Its also possible a 2+2 type program woudl be beneficial allowing them to stay close to home longer. But in either case, an on-line or transitional program present challenges of their own.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/08 to 12/14/09
Outputs
We began 2008-09 with two students enrolled in the program - one of the original scholars and one who was a re-award we made in summer 2007. Both are in good standing and progressing towards completing their degree. At the end of the Fall semester 2008, the scholar who was the re-award decided to transfer to another campus. She wanted to continue in an agricultural field but for personal reasons wanted to be closer to her family in southern Wisconsin. Despite being actively engaged on campus (clubs, Student Senate and work) and performing well academically we were unable to convince her to stay. PRODUCTS: Two students of African-American origin are enrolled in majors in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. OUTCOMES: The Scholar that has been part of the program since the beginning is doing well. With support of faculty in his department - Agricultural Economics - he participated in a research project with colleagues at Purdue University to analyze the costs and feasibility for a greenhouse to transition from using plastic pots to the more sustainable, biodegradable Ellepots. He has plans to present this work at several upcoming undergraduate research venues. Even though one scholar chose to leave mid-year, she expressed her interest in continuing her education in an agricultural field and transferred to a University of Wisconsin sister institution with an agricultural program. This was not our preferred outcome, but her continued involvement will still benefit the agricultural industry as a whole. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: When information is disseminated about the students in the program we note the financial support being received by the USDA. We are no longer seeking new Scholars as we approach the award expiration date. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We will request a no-cost extension on the grant (a fifth year) that will allow us to provide financial support for our ongoing Scholar for his final year at UW-River Falls. He will be presenting the results of his research at upcoming undergraduate research symposia.
Impacts
We will likely have only one Scholar complete the program at UW-River Falls and earn a baccalaureate degree.
Publications
- http://www.greenhousegrower.com/production/storyid=2597 October 2009
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Progress 12/15/07 to 12/14/08
Outputs
Over the course of the 3rd year, the third of our four original scholars withdrew from school. She was in good-standing academically but withdrew for serious health reasons. One of the two new students that we re-awarded scholarships to beginning in Fall 2007-08 was put on academic probation following his first semester and suspended for academic reasons the following spring semester. At the end of the 2007-08 academic year we had two students in the program in good standing. Over the summer we attempted to re-award one of the scholarships to another qualified incoming student, but the student failed to enroll. PRODUCTS: Two students of African-American origin are enrolled in majors in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences thanks to financial support provided by the USDA scholarships. OUTCOMES: The Scholar that has been a part of the program since it's inception continues to excel. The 5th Annual Diversity Awards Banquet was held in spring 2008 and he was awarded one of the five Outstanding Student Leader Awards for his role with the Black Student Union. He is also employed at the Survey Research Center on the UW-River Falls campus where he assists with conducting, compiling and analyzing surveys on issues related to labor, rural development, local government and comprehensive planning. Our new Scholar was also recognized at the Diversity Awards Banquet with one of the three Outstanding Student Volunteer Awards. She was also elected as the College representative on the UW-River Falls Student Senate. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Both Scholars participated in summer youth programs at UW-River Falls designed to interest under-represented youth in choosing a College track. They shared their experiences with the high school students, with credit being given to the USDA Multicultural Scholars Program. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We are looking to involve both students in a true undergraduate research experience in the next year.
Impacts
We have struggled to retain students in the program for academic and other personal, unforeseen reasons. We continue to involve our Scholars in programs for under-represented youth at their former high schools and in campus programs believing that these small efforts will have a long-term positive impact.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/06 to 12/14/07
Outputs
Over the course of the 2nd year of the program we have experienced some turnover in our Scholars. Two of our original 4 students were struggling academically and have withdrawn from school. The one realized her real interest lies in the medical field and so she elected to enroll in a medical technology program at an area community college. We have re-awarded the scholarships to two new students, one majoring in agricultural education, the other in food science and technology.
PRODUCTS: Four students of African-American origin are enrolled in one of the majors offered by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences with financial support provided by the scholarships
OUTCOMES: We are once again pleased that our Scholars are engaged and active in extracurricular activities. These activities do much to retain the students because they make them feel like they belong. One of our continuing students has held multiple offices in student organizations, works in a support role for one of the academic offices on campus, and has participated in a summer research project with the Project Director and presented the results in a poster format to the campus as part of our annual Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Day.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The UWRF Public Affairs office described the program in the press release they issued upon the return of the Project Director and the 2 students from the Director's meeting in Washington DC this past fall. A hometown press release was disseminated for the two new students in the program.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: This spring we will be participating in a Green Summit being sponsored by the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB). The summit will feature interactive sessions led by educational institutions and employers, designed to educate and promote careers in the environmental field to area youth. As our continuing students progress in their coursework we will be seeking internships and summer job opportunities for them, to give them a feel for the workplace environment.
Impacts
It is still early to realize long-term effects from this program, but each time we bring our Scholars back to the Milwaukee area (their hometown) for a school visit or an event like the Green Summit we believe it presents a positive image and promotes education and the options for careers in the agricultural and agricultural related fields to an under-represented audience.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/05 to 12/15/06
Outputs
The first class of Multicultural Scholars is enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. There are four Scholars, 2 males of African American and American Indian origin respectively, and 2 females, one of African-American and the other of Hispanic descent. Project staff visited Vincent High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to recruit students into the program, sent promotional material to Arlington High School and to the Agriculture and Food Science Academy, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and worked with staff from the Admissions office to identify minority students who had been admitted to UWRF and expressed an interest in an agricultural field. These students were sent an application for the Multicultural Scholars Program, which consisted of basic demographic information, several short essay questions and a reference form to be completed by a teacher or employer. From this pool of applicants the
committee awarded scholarships to five students, however only four of the five ended up enrolling at UWRF. Three of the four students are from Vincent High School in Milwaukee, WI; the fourth is from the Agriculture and Food Science Academy in St. Paul, MN. Students from both schools had prior interaction with UWRF faculty and staff through on-going pre-college programs. The Project Director was assigned as the advisor for three of the four students in their first year, the fourth being advised by the chair of the Agricultural Economics Department. The Director assisted the students at registration, and as planned enrolled all four students in AgEd 140 Strategies for Academic Excellence. This course is designed to increase student success in college by giving them the necessary skills in time management, test-taking, study techniques, etc. The project director met with the students regularly over the fall semester and discussed progress of the students with the instructor of AgEd 140
on a regular basis. Two of the four students are majoring in agricultural business. The third student is in marketing communications and the other in biotechnology; each of these programs as an agricultural emphasis. Both of the agricultural business majors are doing well. They received among the highest grades in the Introduction to Agribusiness Management course and the faculty instructor was extremely pleased with their overall performance in class. Both have become involved in extracurricular activities - one ran for office in the Ag Business and Marketing Society, a new student organization in the College, the other is Vice-President of the Black Student Union on campus. The other two students are struggling academically. They have sought extra academic counseling. The four students will be assigned to a carefully selected advisor within their academic major during Spring Semester of 2007. A new set of applications has recently gone out to our contacts at the collaborating high
schools. We anticipate awarding the fifth and final scholarship this spring to an incoming student for Fall 2007.
PRODUCTS: Four students from underrepresented populations are enrolled in an agricultural sciences program, having been attracted by the sizable scholarships. One of the students acknowledged how the scholarship will free him from working and allow him to "keep up my grades and stay in school."
OUTCOMES: The success of this project to date can best be exemplified by the relatively quick immersion into college life by two of the students. As freshmen they felt confident and welcomed into campus organizations and even ran for office in the organizations.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The Office of Public Affairs at UWRF prepared and sent out two press releases since the start of the project. The first in Spring 2006 announced that the grant was received and described the intent of the project. The second press release in Fall 2006 highlighted the students that were selected for the program. Both press releases were picked up by the general agricultural press publications in the state and region. Later this spring the Scholars will return to their high schools to talk about their college experience.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: This spring we will award the fifth and final scholarship. During our annual upcoming visit to Milwaukee to meet with faculty and students at Vincent High School we will also meet with the staff from the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County. The Council supports the on-going pre-college summer program UWRF has with Vincent High School. We will discuss future and expanded collaborations including scholarships for additional students and internship opportunities with area employers for local students.
Impacts
This is the first year of the project and long-term impact is unknown at this time.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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