Progress 12/15/05 to 12/14/10
Outputs
The Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) provided scholarships for underrepresented students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program in the College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Targeted recruiting, mentoring, and academic enhancement programs were utilized as retention efforts for the MSP recipients. Results: four MSP recipients (Native American =1, African American =2, Hispanic =1) have graduated and are employed in career fields related to their academic major. A Hispanic recipient is scheduled to graduate in the spring 2011. A total of eight students were recipients of the MSP scholarship with five students awarded scholarships each year. The long term goal of the program was to increase the diversity of trained professionals in the food and agricultural sciences workforce. The program implemented at the University of Arkansas was successful in achieving this goal. PRODUCTS: Other than the scholarships awarded to eight minority students, the services provided to the students are the products of the program. A targeted communication program was developed to inform high school counselors, family consumer science and agricultural science teachers along with Cooperative Extension agents of the scholarship program. Additional career information was provided to inform potential students of the opportunities of agricultural, food and life sciences career fields. At the college level, an advising plan was created for the MSP recipients as a retention strategy. Recipients were required to meet with their academic advisor each semester. A status report was provided to the Coordinator of Advising and Retention. Advisors also reported known academic problems into the early alert system used for student retention efforts on campus. MSP recipients were also encouraged to join clubs, engage in multicultural center activities, and participate in enhancement programs in the college, such as honors, undergraduate research, and study abroad. Three of the MSP students' majors required internships for real-world experience in career fields prior to graduation. Additionally, the MSP recipients were required to enroll in the Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) of the college. AEP workshop instructors provided information and strategies for academic success, such as overcoming math anxiety, procrastination and stress. The AEP Coordinator, a licensed counselor, scheduled personal consultation and counseling services to address student issues. Students also interacted with the faculty advisor of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) club. Attendance to professional speaker presentations were encouraged to reinforce the students' interest in their chosen career fields. This advising system was modified after year one of the program to require a conference with the Coordinator of Advising and Retention as well as participation in the AEP program. The scholarship administrator interviewed the MSP recipients each year to gather additional information of academic progress or difficulties. Each team member reported to the Project Director each semester or as needed. OUTCOMES: Since academic year 2005-2006, four students have graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and are employed in agricultural science career fields. One other student is scheduled to graduate in 2011. Three MSP scholars transferred or withdrew from the university and were replaced to maintain five scholars per year. One transferred to another university to be closer to her family, and two students dropped out of school because of family stress. The demographics of the students selected for this scholarship include: Native American=2; Hispanic=2; African American= 4. Males= 4; females =4. Leadership experiences were gained through participation in campus activities sponsored by the Multicultural Center, departmental clubs, and activities sponsored by the MANRRS club. Awards or recognitions of the MSP recipients include: a first place award in horticulture judging competition in the Southern Region, an earned certificate in Food Safety Management and Beverage Management awarded by National Restaurant Association, an elected leadership position as residence hall senator, a study abroad experience for one recipient, and three internships. All recipients of the program held part-time employment which prolonged their academic degree program progress. However, one MSP recipient was promoted in the food and hospitality industry, another was asked to work with a data analysis team on a fescue research trial, and a third worked in the horticulture display gardens. One student was active in helping organize GoGreen, a student club active in sustainable efforts. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination: the Project Director gave an oral and poster presentation during a USDA CSREES Project Director's meeting. Retention efforts applied to this program have been shared with campus committees as strategies for improving graduation rates of students. The College of Education has adopted similar ideas used in the Academic Enhancement Program for retention efforts. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The project director will continue to seek funding to support underrepresented student populations, including another submission to the MSP program. The advising/monitoring plan implemented for this program will continue for at-risk students in the college. The AEP program will be promoted for all students.
Impacts
The scholarships provided in this program provided a financial safety net for underrepresented students to stay enrolled in college. All students selected as MSP scholarship recipients have stated that without this financial assistance, they would not have been able to enroll or complete their college education. Because of the interest in the scholarship program during recruiting presentations, minority students have gained a greater understanding of career opportunities in agricultural, food and life sciences. Combined with other recruiting efforts, the college has had a 3.9% increase in minority student enrollment in five years. It is our expectation that these MSP graduates will be contributing members of society and the future leaders of America's agricultural industries.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/08 to 12/14/09
Outputs
Of the original cohort of five Multicultural Scholars, three (one Native American Male, one Hispanic female, and one Hispanic male) continue to make progress toward their degrees. As previously reported, two African American females were added to the program in 2009. Students continue to meet with faculty advisors, the coordinator of advising and retention, and the scholarship administrator via email and in person. All students performed well in 2009, and one African American female and the Native American male are scheduled to graduate in May 2010. Others are poised to graduate soon thereafter. PRODUCTS: Scholarships for tuition and fees to assist five underrepresented students to complete an undergraduate degree program in agricultural, food and life sciences. OUTCOMES: During 2009, our male hispanic student and hospitality major became certified in Food Safety Management and Beverage Management by the National Restaurant Association. He also participated in a feasiblity study to determine the viability of an underground shopping and hospitality district in a local resort town. One of our African American students studied abroad in Rome during the Spring 2009 semester. She is an Interior Design major who added a first-hand understanding of classical architecture to the knowledge she has gained at the University of Arkansas. Our Native American student, an agricultural business major, has served as a research assistant running data analysis on fescue toxicosis. He hopes to attend graduate school. Our Hispanic female student is a member of the food science club and a is a major in food technology. She studies in America while her mother, father and siblings reside in Mexico. Our other African American student placed second in fruit and nut judging at the Southern Horticulture Society Conference and was a member of the team that placed 3rd overall. She is active in the horticulture and GoGreen club and completed a horticulture internship during the summer of 2009 where she assisted with display gardens and grew her own "kitchen" garden on campus. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Strategies found successful to retain underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences will be shared with college recruiters and advisers and at local and regional research meetings. Students have received publicity in the college newsletter and in campus news releases. They are also recognized at our annual scholarship luncheons. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to involve students in academic enhancement program to seek advising counsel, to be involved in clubs and organizations, and to assist students to stay enrolled in his/her academic program.
Impacts
With an increased number of graduates from underrepresented populations, there will be increased diversity of workforce in agriculture and related industries. Also, we have a cohort of 5 past students who are employed locally in agriculture-related industries. These individuals contribute to local economies and provide value and diversity to the workforce. We contend that our current cohort will do the same.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/07 to 12/14/08
Outputs
Of the original cohort of five Multicultural Scholars, three (one Native American male, one Hispanic female, and one Hispanic male) continue to make progress toward their degrees. A Native American male withdrew from the University following the Fall 2007 semester. He had been both working long hours and commuting from a neighboring state against the advice of his advisors. He was replaced by an African American female, a transfer student, beginning in Fall 2008. The African American female of the original group withdrew from the University after the Spring 2008 semester due to a family crisis. She has since been replaced by another African American female beginning Fall 2008. Because one scholarship went unawarded during the Spring 2008 semester, an African American male, also a transfer student, will be added to the program beginning Spring 2009. Our Spring 2009 tally will be 1 Hispanic female, 1 Hispanic male, 1 Native American male, and 2 African American females. Students continue to meet with faculty advisors and the coordinator of advising and retention via email and in person. This particular group of students was very successful during the Fall 2008 semester, and we expect no additional turnover. PRODUCTS: Scholarships for tuition and fees to assist five underrepresented students to complete an undergraduate degree program in agricultural, food and life sciences. OUTCOMES: Opportunity for underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences to complete a four year degree program. Academic progress reports will be collected annually and monitored for barriers to successful completion of academic degree program. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Strategies found successful to retain underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences will be shared at local and regional research meetings. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to involve students in academic enhancement program to seek advising counsel to be involved in clubs and organizations to assist student to stay enrolled in his/her academic program.
Impacts
With an increased number of graduates from underrepresented populations, there will be increased diversity of workforce in agriculture and related industries.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/06 to 12/14/07
Outputs
Five students were selected to receive the Multicultural scholarship effective Fall 2006: two Native American males, one Hispanic female, one Hispanic male and one African American female. Four students completed the Fall 2007 term and are enrolled for Spring 2008. The Coordinator of advising and retention contacted and met with these four students at least once. The fifth student did not respond to the attempt and has subsequently withdrawn from school. This student had been counseled by his academic advisor not to commute or work and continued to do so which has led to his unsatisfactory academic progress. If this student does not return for Fall 2008 term, another student will be selected.
PRODUCTS: Scholarships for tuition and fees to assist five underrepresented students to complete an undergraduate degree program in agricultural, food and life sciences.
OUTCOMES: Opportunity for underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences to complete a four year degree program. Academic progress reports will be collected annually and monitored for barriers to successful completion of academic degree program.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Strategies found successful to retain underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences will be shared at local and regional research meetings.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to involve students in academic enhancement program to seek advising counsel to be involved in clubs and organizations to assist student to stay enrolled in his/her academic program.
Impacts
With an increased number of graduates from underrepresented populations, there will be increased diversity of workforce in agriculture and related industries.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/05 to 12/15/06
Outputs
Five students were selected to receive the Multicultural scholarship effective Fall 2006. There were two Native American males, one Hispanic female, one Hispanic male and one African American female. All students have completed the Fall 2006 term and are enrolled for Spring 2007.
PRODUCTS: Scholarships for tuition and fees to assist five underrepresented students to complete an undergraduate degree program in agricultural, food and life sciences.
OUTCOMES: Opportunity for underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences to complete a four year degree program. Academic progress reports will be collected annually and monitored for barriers to successful completion of academic degree program.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Strategies found successful to retain underrepresented students in agricultural, food and life sciences will be shared at local and regional research meetings.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Monitor student progress annually.
Impacts
With an increased number of graduates from underrepresented populations, there will be increased diversity of workforce in agriculture and related industries.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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