Progress 12/15/06 to 06/14/11
Outputs
The goal of the ESF Multicultural Scholars Program (ESFMSP) was to enhance the diversity of the scientific community by nurturing the success of underrepresented students in environmental sciences. That goal has been fully met. Since Fall 2007, ESFMSP supported the successful academic, personal and professional development of 8 undergraduates from underrepresented groups. Our cohort included 1 Native American, 3 African American and 4 Hispanic students. Our program was extremely successful in retaining those students and nurturing them toward graduation. All 8 USDA MSP students completing the program have successfully graduated with Bachelors of Science degrees as of May 2011 with degrees in environmental sciences and natural resources. (one student was dismissed for academic ineligibility after the freshman year and was replaced). These 8 students have all earned strong academic credentials in demanding programs. Half have either been accepted to or are planning for graduate study and the remainder are accepting employment in the field. The ESFMSP provided enrichment to the academic program including apprenticeships, field experiences, support for summer internships or research experiences and campus leadership opportunities which have contributed to student success. Our ESFMSP students have an impressive record of achievement. One of the apprenticeships blossomed into a prize winning business plan proposal for environmental entrepreneurship. Another completed an internship conducting a forest inventory for an indigenous nation in the region, which moved him toward his goal of becoming a Forester for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Another developed and implemented environmental education materials, while yet another participated in biotechnology research. One student was honored at an undergraduate research conference. ESFs strategy for success in retention of scholars emphasized multi-level mentoring, experiential learning and support for student development. First year scholars participated in a pre-orientation program which helped build confidence and a sense of community. During the first year, the freshmen participated in a residential Learning Community that provided integration first year courses and residence life. The Learning Community was successful in promoting student retention and achievement. The ESFMSP students had multiple opportunities for mentoring and faculty interaction through the Mentor Network. Apprenticeships permitted students to experience a range of approaches in environmental science, gain workplace skills and form lasting relationships with faculty. Every semester, students enrolled in a colloquium to build a sense of community, strengthen academic success, provide career exploration and nurture student development. The Colloquium emphasized service learning, experiential learning and exploration of the diversity of natural resources disciplines. Throughout the program, students participated in career exploration activities to prepare for entry into the scientific workforce and to pursue graduate education. The ESF MSP students, through their group cohesion and ongoing mentorship have become leaders on campus. PRODUCTS: The ESF Multicultural Scholars Program has produced 8 highly accomplished graduates from under-represented populations, with Bachelors degrees in environmental and natural resource disciplines. OUTCOMES: Our ESF Multicultural Scholars have received fellowships and academic enrichment which promote their success as emerging environmental professionals in the scientific workplace. The MSP has contributed to their academic, personal and professional development and launched them toward graduate school and professional employment in the field. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The ESF MSP students have presented a poster at the national NIFA meeting in Washington, DC as well as giving posters and presentations at undergraduate research conferences, including the CSTEP conference. They have implemented service learning and outreach programs in local schools and sponsored self-directed environmental education and advocacy activities on campus. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The ESF Multicultural Scholars Program has terminated for this round of funding, but we hope to be invited to apply for future funding in order to offer our successful mentoring model to future cohorts of students.
Impacts
The ESF MSP has supported the development of 8 underrepresented students in an enriched academic and experiential learning program. Our 8 students have all graduated and are well on their way to contributing their diverse perspectives and excellent education to the scientific workforce on behalf of the environment and natural resources. Their presence, their energy and their leadership on campus has contributed significantly to enhanced cross-cultural community.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/08 to 12/14/09
Outputs
At the end of year 3 of the program, we have had two graduations as our transfer students Lindsay Perez and Jordon Brown both graduated with honors last spring. Jordon has gone to graduate school in Zoology at SUNY Brockport. Lindsay is building on her USDA research project with her employment and plans on enrolling in graduate school. Both supplemented their USDA MSP experience by participating in the Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology Program sponsored by National Science Foundation. They undertook challenging independent research projects and presented their results at the ESF Spotlight on Research. Jordon's poster was awarded highest honors at the CSTEP conference. Lindsay used her USDA MSP apprenticeship research as the basis for a Green Entrepreneurship business plan competition. Their experience as USDA MSP scholars contributed significantly to their success and both have accomplished the mission of the USDA MSP, to enrich the strength and diversity of the agricultural science workforce. Of the 6 students who entered as freshmen, 5 will be successful seniors this fall. One of the students was academically dismissed in her sophomore year. We selected a replacement scholar at the same level. We're pleased with our successful retention and graduation rate.The students have all enrolled in the MSP Colloquium which meets weekly. The colloquium serves as the major point of contact for all the scholars and helps to create a sense of community and fosters continued personal and professional development. Each semester focuses on a different theme to reflect the student's progression. This year the focus was on leadership skills. They explored various leadership styles and skills, practiced professional communication and utilized their advancing skills by sponsoring an environmental advocacy event. Our USDA Scholars were paired with faculty mentors, with whom they served as apprentices for 2-4 hours per week. The apprenticeship exposed students to a range of academic arenas. Activities with the apprentice mentors ranged from assisting in the lab or greenhouse, participation in field trips, creative projects, attending special lectures with the mentor, library research etc. Students report satisfaction in learning from the mentors and getting to know graduate students in the process. The apprenticeships have acted as a springboard for several students to explore new areas of interest within environmental science. All students have been actively engaged in research or outreach with their mentors. These apprenticeships have led to summer internships or employment experiences.The USDA scholars attended the NIFA conference in Washington DC in October and benefited from the career focused programs. They also visited with professionals in their field while in Washington, contributing to their career exploration. The students continue in creating a lively and mutually supportive group, which functions to increase self-confidence and fosters leadership. All students completed full academic loads of challenging courses and are in good academic standing. Four of the remaining six students continue to be on the Dean's list each semester. PRODUCTS: The product of the project is the recruitment, support and mentoring of 8 multicultural scholars. Two have graduated and are either enrolled in graduate school or employed within the environmental science profession. The remaining 6 students are actively involved in enrichment activities and are on track for graduation. OUTCOMES: The 8 Scholars have completed three years at ESF and made a good adjustment to campus life and college-level academics. The scholars have been connected to a network of faculty mentors and served as apprentices. All have become engaged in research and outreach activities with their mentors and the cohort has undertaken leadership activities on campus. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Two of our graduated students have presented their research at the ESF Spotlight on Research and the CSTEP conference. The students created a poster which was presented at the NIFA conference in October. FUTURE INITIATIVES: During the next and last year of the program, the scholars will again participate in the MSP Colloquium. The themes of this semester are 1) career exploration and 2) preparation for graduate school and employment. All are scheduled for graduation in May 2011.
Impacts
The USDA Multicultural Scholars Program at ESF has helped support the successful development of 8 future environmental scientists from underrepresented populations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/07 to 12/14/08
Outputs
Our USDA MSP award currently supports eight excellent scholars who are active participants in the USDA seminar and apprenticeship program. Seven of our eight original students in the cohort have been retained and continue to flourish at ESF. One of our students struggled academically last year and despite counseling and academic intervention was not able to succeed and meet the USDA MSP standards and so was dismissed. We replaced that student with a highly qualified sophomore, a Hispanic male with a major in Environmnetal Biology and he has integrated well with the cohort. One of our Scholars is spending the academic year at a satellite campus, the SUNY ESF Ranger School to develop his interests in forestry technical skills. We maintain frequent email contact with him, despite his current absence from the main campus. The students are all enrolled in the MSP Colloquium EFB 296 which meets weekly. The colloquium serves as the major point of contact for all the scholars and helps to create a sense of community. This semesters sessions also gave the students an opportunity to learn about the career pathways, research and teaching activities of the faculty mentors, as an introduction to the opportunities which are available to students. Our emphasis in the fall semester was identification of leadership skills and styles and we are planning for additional opportunities for students to exercise their leadership. Scholars are also paired with faculty mentors, with whom they served as "apprentices" for 2-4 hours per week. The apprenticeship facilitated the students engagement with the campus community, increased familiarity with college resources and exposed students to a range of academic arenas. Activities with the apprentice mentors ranged from assisting in the lab or greenhouse, participation in field trips, creative projects, attending special lectures with the mentor, library research etc. Students report satisfaction in learning from the mentors and getting to know upper classmen and graduate students in the process. The students have formed a lively and mutually supportive group, which functions to increase self-confidence. We have connected the students to faculty research projects and are encouraging them to develop undergraduate research projects with peers as well. Social events have promoted a sense of community. All students maintain a full academic loads of challenging courses and continue to maintain strong GPAs exceeding the minimum standard considerably. The average GPA of the group is a 3.1. PRODUCTS: To date, the product of the project is the recruitment , support and mentoring of 8 multicultural scholars at SUNY ESF. OUTCOMES: The 8 Multicultural Scholars have completed their third semester at ESF and made a good adjustment to campus life and are succeeding in college-level academics. Two are actively engaged in collaborative research with faculty members. The scholars have been connected to a network of faculty mentors. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: none FUTURE INITIATIVES: During the spring semester, the scholars will again participate in the MSP Colloquium. The themes of this semester are 1) goal setting and 2) community service. The Students are engaged in creating a presentation which examines their strengths and aspirations and connects them to career and personal goals. The students have chosen to perform community service in the form of mentoring young students in science at the nearby Onondaga Nation School which serves a Native American population.
Impacts
The USDA Multicultural Scholars are progressing well toward graduation, adding to the future diversity of the agricultural science workforce. They serve as role models and student leaders on campus.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/15/06 to 12/14/07
Outputs
SUNY ESF successfully recruited 8 students to the USDA Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) who arrived on campus in August. The cohort is evenly divided between males and females and includes a range of cultural backgrounds: 4 Hispanic, 3 African American. 1 Native American. Six students are freshmen and 2 are transfers from community colleges. During the Fall 2007 semester, the students were welcomed with a picnic where they met one another, USDA MSP alumni and the faculty mentor network. The students all enrolled in the MSP Colloquium EFB 296 which meets weekly. The colloquium serves as the major point of contact for all the scholars and helps to create a sense of community. This semesters sessions also gave the students an opportunity to learn about the career pathways, research and teaching activities of the faculty mentors, as an introduction to the opportunities which are available to students. Scholars were also paired with faculty mentors, with whom they
served as "apprentices" for 2-4 hours per week. The apprenticeship facilitated the students engagement with the campus community, increased familiarity with college resources and exposed students to a range of academic arenas. Activities with the apprentice mentors ranged from assisting in the lab or greenhouse, participation in field trips, creative projects, attending special lectures with the mentor, library research etc. Students report satisfaction in learning from the mentors and getting to know upper classmen and graduate students in the process. The students have formed a lively and mutually supportive group, which functions to increase self-confidence. All students completed their first semester with full academic loads of challenging courses. 6 of the 8 students earned good GPAs averaging 3.0, one student was marginal at 2.46, and one student was not successful and has been placed on academic probation. The first semester is often the most challenging, given the non-academic
issues of transition to college. The mentor network is working with the scholars to connect them to academic and personal development resources to assist them.
PRODUCTS: Products To date, the product of the project is the recruitment , support and mentoring of 8 multicultural scholars at SUNY ESF.
OUTCOMES: The 8 Multicultural Scholars have completed their first semester at ESF and made a good adjustment to campus life and college-level academics. One student is facing academic probation, and is receiving special attention to address the issues. The scholars have been connected to a network of faculty mentors and served as apprentices.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: none to date
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future Initiatives During the spring semester, the scholars will again participate in the MSP Colloquium. The themes of this semester are 1) goal setting and 2) community service. The Students are engaged in creating a presentation which examines their strengths and aspirations and connects them to career and personal goals. The students have chosen to perform community service in the form of mentoring young students in science at the nearby Onondaga Nation School which serves a Native American population.
Impacts
The presence of the USDA Multicultural Scholars on campus has enriched the diversity of the student body, provided opportunities for cross-cultural enrichment for students and faculty mentors. Several of the students are already involved in leadership activities on campus, including the new AISES chapter.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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