Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The CULTIVAR Project served 26 Hispanic students, in the food and agricultural sciences. The students were all in the final semester of their master degree programs in a variety of disciplines related to Agriculture, e.g., Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems, Nutrition, Environmental Studies, Agro-ecology and bioinformatics. They ranged in ages from 23-35. The majority (N=16) were female and 10 were male. All of the participants' research was focused on one or more of the five USDA priority areas of Food Safety, Climate Change, Sustainable Energy & Childhood Obesity. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?All of the Fellows participated in a three day institute focused on topics related to cultural identity, leadership, navigating the federal workplace, navigating a doctoral program, policy formulation, community engagement, workplace skills, and communicating science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Fellows and thesis winners and their contact information was published in the Institute's program, the AAHHE's conference program and they can also be found on the AAHHE and TAMU-CC CULTIVAR webiste. Additionally, 2 large (48"x36") posters featuring the Fellows' were strategically posted at the AAHHE conference registration site and the Career Preparation Institute meeting site. Programs were sent to USDA-NIFA for dissemination as well. Thesis winners also presented their theses in concurrent sessions and information related to their research was published in the conference program abstracts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
All of the objectives under the primary goal of increasing the number of Latinos pursuing a career in the food and agricultural sciences were accomplished: 1. A thesis program was implemented in collaboration with AAHHE. Over a five year period a total of 12 students received a thesis award. 2. A database was developed of potential Latino/a candidates for doctoral programs and for internship and employment opportunities with USDA and other related government agencies. 3. A Career Preparation Institute (CPI) was developed, implemented, and offered concurrently with the AAHHE annual meeting. 4. Mentors were identified and selected in the Food and Agricultural Sciences, institutions of Higher Education, as well as USDA and other related agencies. 5.Viable doctoral programs in the Food and Agricultural Sciences in institutions of higher education were identified.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Master's students in the food and agricultural sciences to recruit into doctoral programs and/or internships/employment opportunities in the USDA and related agencies. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The three day institute focused on topics related cultural identity, leadership, navigating the federal workplace, navigating a doctoral program, policy formulation, community engagement, workplace skills, and communicating science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Fellows and thesis winners and their contact information was published in the Institute's program, AAHHE's conference program and they can also be found on the AAHHE and TAMU-CC CULTIVAR webiste. Additionally, 2 large (48"x36") posters featuring the Fellows' were strategically posted at the AAHHE conference registration site and the Career Preparation Institute meeting site. Programs were sent to USDA-NIFA for dissemination as well. Thesis winners also presented their theses in concurrent sessions and information related to their research was published in the conference program abstracts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The thesis competition has been announced and the information has been disseminated. The remaining budget is being revisited to determine how many Fellows can be identified and current grantees are also being asked to support students to participate in the 2016 Career Preparation Institute. Winners and Fellows will be announced in October of 2015. The conference will be held in Costa Mesa CA on March 10-12, 2016.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Master's thesis recognition program was implemented. To date 9 master's students have been recognized. The database of 57 Fellows can now be found on the AAHHE and TAMU0CC CULTIVAR websites and have been provided to USDA-NIFA in printed format. Each year the Institute prints a program with the current Fellows and includes a listing of the Fellows from the previous years as well. A Career Preparation Institute - a 3 day meeting- was held in conjunction with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education annual meeting March 11-15, 2015 in Frisco, Texas. The Institute included 19 Fellows; 5 mentors (4 academic/1 USDA agency); 5 USDA panelists (2 of whom were also mentors); and 2 presenters focused on career development topics. Relative to the primary goals of the grant, USDA Internships - 3 Doctoral Programs -3 USDA Agency hires - 2 Working in USDA grant funded projects at an IHE - 2
Publications
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Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audience: Master's students in the food and agricultural sciences to recruite into doctoral programs and/or internship/employment opportunties in the USDA and related agencies. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The three day Institute focused on topics related to cultural identity, leadership, navigating the federal workplace, navigating a doctoral program, policy formulation, community engagement, workplace skills, and communicating science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Fellows and thesis winners and their contact information was published int he conference program and can also be found ont eh AAHHE and TAMUCC websites. Additioanlly, thesis winners presented their thesis in concurrent sessions and information related to their research was published in the confernce program abstracts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The thesis competition and the institute application process will be advertised and implemented. The thesis winners are scheduled to be announced in Novermber of 2014 and the USDA Fellows will also be identified in November of 2014 with the Institute to be held in March of2015 in Frisco TX.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Master's Thesis Award Program was implemented. To date 7 award winners have been recognized. Database of 38 Fellows can now be found on the AAHHE and TAMUCC websites and have been provided to USDA-NIFA. Career Preparation Institue - a 3 day institute was held in conjunction with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education annual meeting. the 2014 Institute included 12 Fellows, 3 university mentors, 3 USDA agency mentors, and 3 presenters focused on career development topics. USDA Internships - One participated in an APHIS/PPQ internship and one has applied for a full-time position with a USDA agency. Doctoral Prorams - three are enrolled in doctoral programs and four additional Fellows have applied.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audience: Master's students in the food and agricultural sciences to recruit into doctoral programs and/or internship/employment opportunities in the USDA and related agencies. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Thre three day Institute has focused on topics related to cultural identity, leadership, navigating the federal workplace, navigating a doctoral program, policy formulation, community engagement, workplace skills, and communicating science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Fellows and Thesis winners and their contact information was published in the conference program and can also be found on the AAHHE and TAMUCC websites. Addtionally Thesis winners presented their thesis in concurrent sessions and information related to their research was published in the conference program abstracts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The Thesis competition and Institute application process will be advertised and implemented. The Thesis winners are scheduled to be announced in November of 2013 and the USDA Fellows will also be identified in November of 2013 with the Institute to be held in March of 2014 in Costa Mesa CA.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Master's Thesis Award Program has been implemented. To date 5 award winners have been recognized. Database of 26 Fellows can be found on the AAHHE and TAMUCC websites and have been provided to USDA NIFA. Career Preparation Institute - a 3 day institutehas been held for two consecutive years in conjunction with The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. the 20 13 institute has included: 3 university mentors, 3 presentersfocused on career development topics, and 3 USDArelated agency representatives. USDA Internships - All fourteen applied for USDA internships. Two participated in internships. One was in a 2 year position. Doctoral Programs - Three have enrolled in doctoral programs.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Developed a: 1. Memorandum of Understanding between TAMUCC and the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE)to implement a thesis award recognizing outstanding theses in the food and agricultural sciences. 2. Fellowship Program to provide an educational and employment network for master level students in the food and agricultural sciences 3. Database of qualified candidates for doctoral programs 4. Database of qualified candidates for internship/employment opportunities 5. Career preparation institute to be offered concurrently with the annual AAHHE meeting. 6. Database of qualified mentors for the Graduate Fellows PARTICIPANTS: Partner Organization included American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. The contact is Dr. Loui Olivas. There were four Mentors for the Fellows including Dr.Adela de la Torre, Director, Center for Transnational Health and Professor of Department of Chicana Studies. University of California, Davis An agricultural economist, Dr. de la Torre's publications and research primarily focus on Chicano/Latino health issues, including binational health, immigrant health and childhood obesity. Dr. Enrique Figueroa, Associate Professor and Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee [UWM] and Assistant to the Provost for Latino Affairs. Dr. Figueroa serves on a number of nonprofit Boards, governmental commissions, national committees, and Governor Dolye appointed him to the Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Board. In 2011, he was elected/appointed to the Board of Governors of Antioch University as well as the Board of Directors of BigBrothers/BigSisters of Greater Milwaukee. Dr. Dana Garcia, Professor in the Department of Biology at Texas State University-San Marcos and Associate Chair for Curriculum and Scheduling. Her research laboratory investigates problems in vision research and in pigment cell biology, using zebrafish as a model system. Dr. Garcia chairs the planning committee for Texas State's annual Women in Science and Engineering Conference, was appointed by President Denise Trauth to be Texas State's representative to Texas Women in Higher Education, and helps organize a monthly, brown-bag lunch series "Pathways to Administration". Dr.Refugio I. Rochin,Professor & Director Emeritus UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz. His experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the Society for Advancement of Latinos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), founding Director of The Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, first University Director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University, and Principal Investigator and research assessor for the U.S Department of State, Department of Agriculture, NSF and NIH. 1st Annual USDA Graduate Fellows Career Preparation Institute Agenda topics included 1.Mentoring in Science & Academe 2.Leadership: Negotiating Your Identity 3.National and Global Marketplace 4.Opportunities: Looking to the Future 5. Policy Formulation and Implementation 6. Opportunities for Community-Based Engagement in the Latino Community 7. Thesis Award Winners Presentations 8. Round-Table Discussions with Mentors 9. Communicating Science: Finding and Sharing Your Voice 10. Social Media: Technology, Access and Enhancement Of Higher OPEN Education 11. Networking breakfasts,lunches, dinners and receptions TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: In subsequent years, there will be a Chair and Co-chair identified to plan the Institute and work with the Fellows. The initial chair and co-chair were identified from the the first cohort of Fellows. The co-chair will take over as chair in Year 3 and identify a co-chair from cohort 2.
Impacts
1. A partnership was established with AAHHE to recognize outstanding master level students in the food and agricultural sciences. Three award winners were identified - 1st - Xiomara Elias-Argote; 2nd - Luz Eliana Pinilla; 3rd - Maria Isabel Quintero-Villegas and $6,000 in prize monies were awarded. 2. Twelve Fellows were paired with four mentors in the food and agricultural sciences. 3. Thesis Award Winners and Fellows' information was disseminated via a program developed for the annual Career Preparation Institute, their pictures and institutional affiliation were exhibited at the conference on poster boards as well as placed on the AAHHE website. Of the twelve Fellows, eight are currently enrolled in doctoral programs and two are exploring options. 4. All twelve Fellows submitted internship applications to USDA and two spent the summer in Washington D.C. 5. A four day institute was implemented and held concurrently with the AAHHE annual meeting in Costa Mesa CA March 7-10, 2012. The agenda was collaborative developed with the mentors. 6. A cadre of four university faculty (Adela de la Torre, Enrique Figueroa Dana Garcia, Refugio Rochin); two USDA employees (Irma Lawrence-USDA-NIFA, Joseph Garcia-USDA-FSIS) and three additional individuals (Jaime Chahin, Don Luna, Martha Montoya)were identified to assist with the Institute, judge the theses, and serve as mentors for the Fellows.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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