Progress 12/18/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience inlcuded: Farmers, especially small and disadvantaged farmers in the State of Ohio Community groups interested in urban agriculture in the State of Ohio Faculty, students, staff and administrators at Central State University. Collaborators in the agricultural research enterprise in the State of Ohio and in the US such as Ohio State University, other 1890 Land Grant Instiututions and governmental agencies such as Natiuonal Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Citizens of Greene County and the State of Ohio Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A team comprising Dr. Subramania Sritharan (Dean and Interim Land Grant Program Director), Mr. Morakinyo Kuti (Director of Sponsored Program and Research), Ms. Tina Castonguay ( Grants Manager, Office of Sponsored Program and Research) and Ms. Brandie Duncan Post Award Manager for Extension) from Central State University attended the National Extension and Research Administrative Offiocers Conference (NERAOC) hosted by the Pennsylvania State University's College of Agricultural Sciences during April 24-27, 2016. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Instituting the new Dean and Land Grant Program Director, Dr. Alton B. Johnson. Reviewing the administrative structure for the Land Grant Program and developing and instituting a new administratiove structure for the Land Grant Program at Central State University. Assisting in the selection and engaging of the 5 new researchers and technicians for the Land Grant Program in the areas of Soil Science, Horticulture, Entomology, Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronics/ Robotics as applied to Agricultural Systems Develop and coordinate activities related to developing research facilities under the Facilities Grant. Reviewing and revising as necessary, the Research Components of the Plan of Work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Central State University decided on the structure of making the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) as the unit in which its land grant work would be primarily conducted. The Dean of the college was also expected to carry out the function of the Director of the 1890 Land Grant Program supported by assoicaite directors for research and extension. The Dean of CSE, Dr. Subramania Sritharan was initially assigned as the Interim Director for the Land Grant Program and was given the responsibility of directing the Evans Allen and McIntyre Stennis research program. Dr. Sritharan suggested that a new person with ample experience in the 1890 Land Grant Programs be engaged to lead the College and the Land Grant Program. A search committee was set up to select a Dean/ Director. After intense search headed by Dr. Charles Hodge, the former Dean (Interim) of the College of Education, Dr. Alton B. Johnson was chosen as the Dean and the Land Grant Program Director. Dr. Sritharan was assigned the function of Associate Director for Research. Search committees for the positions of Post Award Managers for Research and Extension, Administrative Assistant to the Dean/ Director and Program Manager for Undergraduate Research and Student Engagement were set. Appropriate employees from the University assisted with serving in the search committees. Ms. Marian Hoey was chosen and engaged as the Post Award Manager for Research Programs and Ms. Brandie Duncan was apponited as the Post Award Manager for Extension Programs. Mr. Gorgui Ndao was engaged as the Program Manager for Undergraduate Research and Student Engagement. The adminsitrative unit assisted the Land Grant Program with setting up the various accounts, in purchasing materials and supplies and arranging required travel for all engaged in the Research and Research administration. The administrative unit assisted in setting up three research programs under Evans Allen and one project under McIntyre Stennis. The administrative unit assisted the faculty with planning reserach programs, defining the research positions and processing through the Human Resources (HR) Division of the University. Coordinating the Fcailities Grant and processing the applications for the Capacity Building Grant and assisting with post-award activities. The Program Manager for Undergraduate Research and Student Engagement assisted in the following activities: Selection and arrangement of undergraduate students for research under the EVans Allen and McIntyre Stennis Programs Organized faculty and student participation in the NAFEO Career Development Workshop, Careers within USDA, held in Atlanta, GA, ON April 6, 2016. Worked with 4-H Coordinator in planning intensive summer academic programs for middle and high school students. Coordinated a mentoring and tutoring program for AG-STEM majors. Designed faculty and student application form for undergraduate research and started the design of a research-based website to link faculty, research staff and extension personnel with student researchers to interact with each other and to global links for information on agriculture related research, grants, fellowships and discipline specific conferences. Designing an annual Agriculture/STEAM undergraduate research exhibition and symposium to share and publicize undergraduate students' research achievements. Arranged and monitored six (6) research internships that give students from the STEM disciplines valuable experience and set the stage for smooth transitions to graduate school and/or a professional career.
Publications
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