Source: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
MULTICULTURAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM: PREPARING FUTURE GLOBAL AG LEADERS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1021174
Grant No.
2020-38413-30732
Cumulative Award Amt.
$160,000.00
Proposal No.
2019-04096
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2020
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2025
Grant Year
2020
Program Code
[KF]- Multicultural Scholars
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
1601 EAST MARKET STREET
GREENSBORO,NC 27411
Performing Department
Agribusiness, Applied Economic
Non Technical Summary
Historically, minorities have participated less than non-minorities in agricultural related careers outside of labor occupations (Talbert & Larke, 1995). Morgan (2000) and USDA (2007), added, "there are dwindling numbers of African Americans enrolled in agricultural-related fields. The number of African Americans choosing to study agricultural related studies is low. To address the low enrollment of minorities in agriculture, this USDA Multicultural Scholars Program's (MSP) will provide scholars with a rigorous academic program curriculum to allow them to be well prepared after graduation with knowledge in agriculture, technology, leadership and cultural awareness skills. Due to an estimated 57,000 annual job openings for graduates in food, renewable energy, and environmental specialties, the scholars will be well positioned for careers. The scholars will receive mentoring on a weekly basis to assess how they are progressing in their academic journey. They will also participate during a Study Abroad to learn about a different culture and international agriculture. Internships and Research projects will allow them to learn in "read life" settings and present research during conferences to develop their research and communication skills such as public speaking
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
40%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020199302025%
3073999302025%
5015010302025%
9036010302025%
Goals / Objectives
The overall project goal is to increase the number of skilled, minority undergraduates prepared to earn graduate education or employment in the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human (FANH) sciences. To achieve the goal, the following objectives will occur:1) recruit and select four highly qualified scholars;2) support scholars in achieving academic degree program requirements to earn baccalaureate degrees;3) enhance scholars' academic, research, technology, leadership, and cultural competencies;4) engage scholars with the community and world through experiential learning activities; and5) prepare scholars for graduate education and employment in the FANH sciences.
Project Methods
The project will involve recruitment and selection for participants; weekly and monthly mentoring meetings will be held between scholars and mentors; advisory council members will evaluate the project, assist with recruitment efforts and present workshops for scholars via face to face and/or video conferences; scholars will participate during academic and research activities to develop leadership and technology skills and gain cultural awareness.Evaluations will be conducted to assess scholar's change in knowledge and skills.Scholars will participate during a Study Abroad to learn about international agriculture.

Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included ethnic minority students identified as economically disadvantaged, and or first generation. Efforts included support of the students' educational and professional needs, received via formal and informal programs. Experiential learning included a faculty-led to Grenada, conference attendances, and internships. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities Achieved with each scholar receiving one-on one work with a mentor (academic and research). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Accomplishments disseminated via postings on social networks (LinkedIn, Facebook) and newspapers (Grenada). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Specific objectives met- Program objectives (all met): 1) recruit and select four highly qualified scholars (100% met) 2) support scholars in achieving academic degree program requirements to earn baccalaureate degrees (100% met) 3) enhance scholars' academic, research, technology, leadership, and cultural competencies (100% met); 4) engage scholars with the community and world through experiential learning activities (100% met); and 5) prepare scholars for graduate education and employment in the FANH sciences (100% met) *graduate college, biology teacher. Significant results achieved, including major findings, developments, or conclusions (both positive and negative)- Increased mentor-mentee meetings to address academic concerns (failing midterm and or final grades) another negative was two scholars leaving school.

Publications


    Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period includes four undergraduate, minority (African American) students (i.e., economically disadvantaged, 1st generation, female) majoring in degree programs in food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Scholars attending conferences such as Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Chicago, Illinois, March 2024. Scholars participate during student-led/Club Organization events (guest speakers). One scholar completed the Big Brother/Big Sister Nutrition Internship Scholars met with University's Career Services Office for resume development 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?While two of the Scholars will graduate within four years on May 2024; I plan to continue mentoring the remaining two Scholars to ensure they graduate during Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? The following activities align with the following projectgoal and objectives: Mentoring four scholars Two scholars on track to earn a baccalaureate degree Spring 2024 One Scholar presented research conducted during a summer internship at Purdue University during the 2023 ABRCMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students)Conference, Phoenix, AZ. (November 2023) Scholars attended the University's Career and Graduate Fairs (February 2024) and completing applications for Graduate College in order to improve competitiveness when applyingfor graduate education and employment opportunities in the FANH sciences.

    Publications


      Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23

      Outputs
      Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period includes four undergraduate, minority (African American) students (i.e., economically disadvantaged, 1st generation, female) majoring in degree programs in food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences. Changes/Problems:During this reporting period, one major change was the need to change the destination of the study abroad. In the funded proposal, the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine, Trinidad) was planned for (letters of support) back in 2019. In May 2022, conversations were held with the Dean and faculty contact for the study abroad to occur March 2023. At the time of initial planning, Trinidad and Tobago was a Level 2 (US State Departement), then by November 2022, the Level moved to Level 3. This required the need to change plans for the destination and date. The UWI contact referred a faculty member in Grenada so the study abroad could occur (May 2023). Another problem was an expired passport for one of the students. The passport was to be delivered in four weeks but actually took almost four months for the student to receive. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported 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?During the next reporting period, the following objective activities are planned: Objective: Prepare scholars for graduate education and employment in the FANH sciences. Objective Activities: Students will focus on presenting their research in more settings especially oral presentations. They will also update resumes to begin sharing during Career Fairs, conferences, etc., for career opportunities and graduate education.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, the following two program objectives and activitieswere accomplished: Objective: Enhance scholars' academic, research, technology, leadership, and cultural competencies. Objective Activities: The students completed research papers based on a tropica, internationaltopic aligned with their academic discipline with the mentoring support ofresearch faculty from the Faculty of Food and Agriculture from the University of West Indies, St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago). The four students prepared and then delivered their research via posters during their institution's (N.C. A&T)Study Abroad Day as well as during the study abroad visit to T.A. Marryshow Community College (St. George's, Grenada). Students were mentored on how to work with Zoom meetings by Dr. R. Cobb, Co-PI and received a research training by Dr. M. Worku, Co-PI. The PI, Dr. P. Faulkner, delivered a presentation to the four students about the importance of global awareness, traveling internationally based on her Fulbright experience. Three students presented (one in person, two virtually) theirresearch during the 2022 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, CA, November 2022. One student completed the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Michigan State University (summer 2022) in food science and another student completed an internship with the Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro, NC, summer 2022). Objective: Engage scholars with the community and world through experiential learning activities Objective Activities: The four students completed the6 day, faculty-led study abroad (May 2023)to Grenada (St. George). Other experential learing activities included: internships (two students completed summer 2022 and two students are completing summer 2023) and research (courses).

      Publications

      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Faulkner, P, Cobb, R, Worku, M., Bhowmik, A., Ibrahim, S. & Zimmerman, T. (2022). Preparing Multicultural Scholars for the Global Society. Poster Presentation at the 2022 STEM/STEAM Education Conference. Waikiki, HI.


      Progress 04/01/21 to 03/31/22

      Outputs
      Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period includes four underrepresented minority students (i.e., economically disadvantaged, first-generation) majoring in food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences disciplines. Changes/Problems:The only changes experienced this reporting period was travel since the University restricted it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to plan for the study abroad in hopes COVID restrictions are lifted to Trinidad and Tobago. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project professional development events have included: conferences, workshops, student-led organization membership, and resume development with Career Services' personnel. 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?During the next reporting period, the primary focus will be preparing scholars for their research projects addressing international agriculture topics specific to their majors. The scholars will be paired with a research faculty at the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. One-on-one and group meetings will be held along with scholars researching on their own to be prepared to present (virtually or in-person) their research projects during their junior or senior year. The decision to travel in-person to Trinidad and Tobago will be determined based on COVID-19 restrictions of both institutions, the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago. Scholars will receive assistance with their goals for life after graduation, such as graduate education or careers focused on the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. Scholars will prepare applications for graduate education and or employment opportunities. More guest speakers will be arranged for scholars i.e. research development skills, technology skill development. MSP mentors Drs. Worku (research) and Cobb (technology) willl provide one-on-one sessions with the students as well as Advisory Board members.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Historically, minorities have participated less than non-minorities in agricultural-related careers outside of labor occupations (Talbert & Larke, 1995). Morgan (2000) and USDA (2007), added, "there are dwindling numbers of African Americans enrolled in agricultural-related fields, Morgan continued with, "it [low numbers of minorities in agriculture] can be attributed to African American farmers averaging around 60 years of age and very few individuals replacing them (p. 1). The number of African Americans choosing to study agricultural-related studies are considerably small (Burns, 2006). To address the low enrollment of minorities in agriculture, this MSP program is preparing four underrepresented students all focused on program priorities: general agriculture, education, food safety/nutrition, animal science, and soil science. This MSP program supports USDA's 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goal 4, which is to facilitate rural prosperity and economic development and Goal 7, which is to provide all Americans access to a safe, healthy lifestyle. The following accomplishments have been met: Four minority students (two males, two females) were recruited for the MSP program. Scholars achievingacademic success with all earning a 2.8 GPA or higher. Scholars receiving professional development i.e. technology skill development, resume development, conference attendance. Scholars attend tutoring sessions with MSP mentors and instructors.

      Publications


        Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/21

        Outputs
        Target Audience:The project entitled: "Multicultural Scholars Program: Preparing Future Global Ag Leaders" targets an audience of underrepresented minority students (i.e., economically disadvantaged, first generation). To support the students' educational and professional needs, they will receive access to formal and informal programs. Formal programs include a curriculum guide for each student related to their respective academic disciplines along with general education courses (electives). Informal programs include membership in student organizations such as MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), Food Science Club, Tutoring (Math, Chemistry, and the University Writing Center), Zoom seminars (Robert's Rule of Order, October 28, 2020), MSP Group meetings (How to Plan for Success, February 3, 2021) and One-on-One MSP Mentor-Scholar meetings and email communications (information about Career Day, etc.). Other experiential learning opportunities included students completing a self-assessment to identify leadership skills using Strength Quest, conference attendance (MANRRS Cluster workshop, September 2020 and College Conference on Cooperatives, February 10-11, 2021; USDA Ag Outlook Forum, February 2021). In addition, each scholar completed a survey (pre) at the onset of the program, to assess their thoughts on and prior knowledge on the following topics: leadership and technology skill development, cultural awareness; and knowledge on Agricultural Education/Ag Business, Animal Sciences, Food Sciences, and Soil Sciences. Sample questions asked students to rate, "It is important for one to know the historical development of agriculture", "Animal scientist should always care for animal welfare and human health", "The #1 way to prevent food borne illnesses is to wash your hands" and 'Soils' and 'dirt' are interchangeable terms?" The last semester of the students' senior year, the survey (post) will be administered to gauge change in knowledge, skills and attitudes related to FANH sciences. Changes/Problems:There was one major problem in implementing the project approach. The recruitment and selection of scholars was quite a problem. It took an entire semester before I was able to recruit and select a qualified Food Science student. For example, three students who were recruited and the first being recommended for selection by the MSP Advisory Board decided not to enroll in college. One decided not to accept the scholarship because he knew he would not be able to commit to the MSP requirements due to being in the University Band. Another was not able to participate because he failed to submit Financial Aid documents. Eventually, one applicant was recruited and selected by the MSP Advisory Board which has resulted in one of the four scholars being initiated spring 2021 semester, rather than fall 2020 semester. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The following training and personal development opportunities have been provided to the students: Leadership assessment, conference attendance, Robert's Rule of Order (Zoom with MSP Advisory Board member), Planning ahead for Success (i.e. Time Management) (Zoom with a MSP Mentor). 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?During the next reporting period, the plans are to continue providing students with support with their academic goals (tutoring, One on One and Group meetings) as well as studying tips (referral Math tutors, Writing Center). Students will be encouraged to attend the University's Spring Career Fair and other events to learn of internship opportunities. The students will sign up with the University's Career Services to learn how to develop resumes and conduct "Mock Interviews" to be best prepared for interviewing.

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? The project's overall goal is to increase the number of minority students for graduate education and careers in the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human (FANH) sciences. The following objectives have been met: Recruit and select three highly qualified Scholars; Support Scholars in achieving academic degree program requirements to earn baccalaureate degrees; Enhance Scholars' academic, leadership skills; All Scholars have been paired with a MSP Mentor who serves in their academic discipline. Thus far, professional conferences and workshops have been attended. Due to the project being in its first year and experiencing the pandemic COVID-19, The following project objectives have not been met: Enhance Scholars' research, technology, and cultural competencies Explanation: The students have not been exposed to research and technology but will occur during Year 2 (sophomore year) and cultural competencies will be addressed during workshops, courses and during the Study abroad (Year 3) or when travel is approved by the University, esepcially when international is approved and safe for the country to visit. Engage Scholars with the community Explanation: Due to the pandemic COVID-19, community activities such as service learning has not occurred. There will be plans for how to conduct community activities virtually. The following measurable outcomes and impact have not been accoplished: Earning baccalaureate degrees Completing a Study Abroad; and Completing graduate education or a career in the FANH sciences.

        Publications