Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The 1890 Scholarships Program will significantly support and impact student scholars seeking a career in the food and agricultural sciences. The immediate impact/support of this program will be felt via an 1) Increased availability of dedicated scholarship dollars for aspiring food and agricultural sciences (food/ag) majors; 2) Increased number of high caliber undergraduate scholars pursuing Bachelor of Science degree in the fields of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science and Hospitality Management; 3) Reduction in the amount college loans and student debt accumulated by food/ag majors; 4) Increased retention and six-year graduation rates for food/ag majors; 5) Increased number of food/ag majors pursuing graduate and professional education degrees; and 6) Increased number of food/ag majors entering U.S. and global workforce. Changes/Problems:There have been no changes for this funding period What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Dean/1890 Extension Administrator in conjunction with the three department chairs of the COA hosted three (3) virtual engagement events during the year (2 - Fall'23 and 1 - Spring'24). Scholars are emerged in student development activities of the university and their respective departments, i.e. student organizations, invited speakers, guest lectures, business/industry tours, internships, Minority in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS),VSU Honors Program, etc. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Communications disseminated via the COA - Marketing and Communications Unit, with written information about the program shared via print and social media platforms. Additionally, oral commentary about the scholarship program shared with external groups by COA Dean, faculty and others, i.e. COA Agriculture Alumni Association, VSU Administration, Farm Bureau, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Advisory Board, State Fair of Virginia Youth Advisory Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University - College of Agriculture Dean's Advisory Board, etc What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Increase the number of scholars by at least 20%. Provide funding for thirty-seven scholars from the 2023-2024 cohort to continue their academic journey. Four new full scholarship recipients and fourteen partial scholarship recipients will begin/continue their academic journey as the 2024-2025 cohort and be integrated into the VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program. The total amount that will be awarded for 2024-2025 will be $637, 632. All scholars will be required to be an active participant of MANNRS and complete community service hours. We are planning to have an agriculture and related science career fair and several professional development opportunities for scholars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
VSU made a total of nineteen (19) new awards totaling $201,289.00. Seven students were awarded in Fall 2023 and the remaining 12 were awarded in Spring 2024. The availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and enabled 14 students to graduate across the college. Four full scholarships were awarded to two (2) out-of-state and two (2) in-state students. Fifteen partial scholarships were awarded to students, which assisted in their commitment to attending VSU and pursuing an agriculture related degree. New scholarship distribution among majors: 11-Agriculture, 5-Family and Consumer Science and 3-Hospitality Management. 98.1% retention rate for the 2023-2024 cohort of scholars. Fourteen scholars graduated. One of our graduates is currently working for USDA. Another graduate is attending graduate school at North Carolina A & T University.
Publications
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Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The 1890 Scholarships Program will significantly support and impact student scholars seeking a career in the food and agricultural sciences. The immediate impact/support of this program will be felt via an 1) Increased availability of dedicated scholarship dollars for aspiring food and agricultural sciences (food/ag) majors; 2) Increased number of high caliber undergraduate scholars pursuing Bachelor of Science degree in the fields of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science and Hospitality Management; 3) Reduction in the amount college loans and student debt accumulated by food/ag majors; 4) Increased retention and six-year graduation rates for food/ag majors; 5) Increased number of food/ag majors pursuing graduate and professional education degrees; and 6) Increased number of food/ag majors entering U.S. and global workforce. Changes/Problems:There have been no changes for this funding period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Dean/1890 Extension Administrator in conjunction with the three department chairs of the COA hosted three (3) virtual engagement events during the year (2 - Fall'23and 1 - Spring'24). Scholars are emerged in student development activities of the university and their respective departments, i.e. student organizations, invited speakers, guest lectures, business/industry tours, internships, Minority in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS),VSU Honors Program, etc. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Communications disseminated via the COA - Marketing and Communications Unit, with written information about the program shared via print and social media platforms. Additionally, oral commentary about the scholarship program shared with external groups by COA Dean, faculty and others, i.e. COA Agriculture Alumni Association, VSU Administration, Farm Bureau, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Advisory Board, State Fair of Virginia Youth Advisory Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University - College of Agriculture Dean's Advisory Board, etc What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Increase the number of scholars by at least 20%. Provide funding for thirty-seven scholars from the 2023-2024 cohort to continue their academic journey. Four new full scholarship recipients and fourteen partial scholarship recipients will begin/continue their academic journey as the 2024-2025 cohort and be integrated into the VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program. The total amount that will be awarded for 2024-2025 will be $637, 632. All scholars will be required to be an active participant of MANNRS and complete community service hours. We are planning to have an agriculture and related science career fair and several professional development opportunities for scholars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
VSU made a total of nineteen (19) new awards totaling $201,289.00. Seven students were awarded in Fall 2023 and the remaining 12 were awarded in Spring 2024. The availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and enabled 14 students to graduate across the college. Four full scholarships were awarded to two (2) out-of-state and two (2) in-state students. Fifteen partial scholarships were awarded to students, which assisted in their commitment to attending VSU and pursuing an agriculture related degree. New scholarship distribution among majors: 11-Agriculture, 5-Family and Consumer Science and 3-Hospitality Management. 98.1% retention rate for the 2023-2024 cohort of scholars. Fourteen scholars graduated. One of our graduates is currently working for USDA. Another graduate is attending graduate school at North Carolina A & T University.
Publications
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Progress 06/01/22 to 05/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this scholarship program/grant was high school seniors and college transfer students interested in pursuing an academic major in the food and agricultural sciences within the College of Agriculture (COA) at Virginia State University (VSU). Funding was open to incoming and returning student, with incoming freshmen or transfers as the primary target audience. The scholarship is open to students from all racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Eligibility criteria for receipt of scholarship funds were: 1) U.S Citizen, 2) Accepted for admission to Virginia State University and enrolled in the semester of application, 3) Desire to study food and agricultural sciences within the degree programs of the COA, 4) Intent to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences, including careers in industry, research, education and professional services, 5) Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the time of application and minimum SAT:1000 or ACT:19 (if available and provided). Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while receiving scholarship support, and 6) Be enrolled and maintain full-time student status at VSU in a program of study in the food and agricultural sciences within the College of Agriculture, leading towards an undergraduate degree during each semester that the student receives 1890 Scholarship support. The VSU-COA's target goal was twenty-two (22) full scholarships - seventeen (17) in-state rate scholarship and five (5) outof-state rate scholarships. Additionally, ten (10) partial scholarships based on merit and(or) need and twelve (12) book scholarships were to be awarded to support student retention and progression towards degree completion. Changes/Problems:Challenge scheduling meetings to fit scholars schedules. Recorded virtual meetings will be considered to engage scholars and if they can not attend they will have access to recordings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?News of Virginia State University's "Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program" has been shared via public media outlets, College of Agriculture media (social media platform, digital newsletters, digital print, etc.) and university news. Additionally, information regarding the success of the program and scholars has been shared via talks and conversations with external groups - VSU Ag Alumni, Farm Bureau, Virginia State Fair Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean and Advisory Board, etc What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Thirty-one scholars from the 2021-2022 cohort will continue their academic journey. Four new full scholarship recipients and ten partial scholarship recipients will begin their academic journey as the 2022-2023 cohort and be integrated into the VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. VSU made thirty-one (31) new awards totaling $327,098.25 2. Availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and within reach. 3. Seven full scholarships awarded to six (6) students from Virginia and one out-of-state student. Scholarships distribution - 4 Agriculture, 2 Family and Consumer Science and 1 Hospitality Management. 5. Partial scholarships were awarded to twenty-four students that subsequently assisted in their attending VSU, graduation from as well as retention within the College of Agriculture. 6. 61.5% retention rate for 2020-2021 cohort of scholars. There were 16 scholarship renewals totaling $389,893.27
Publications
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Progress 06/01/21 to 05/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this scholarship program/grant was high school seniors and college transfer students interested in pursuing an academic major in the food and agricultural sciences within the College of Agriculture (COA) at Virginia State University (VSU). Funding was open to incoming and returning student, with incoming freshmen or transfers as the primary target audience. The scholarship is open to students from all racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Eligibility criteria for receipt of scholarship funds were: 1) U.S Citizen, 2) Accepted for admission to Virginia State University and enrolled in the semester of application, 3) Desire to study food and agricultural sciences within the degree programs of the COA, 4) Intent to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences, including careers in industry, research, education and professional services, 5) Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the time of application and minimum SAT:1000 or ACT:19 (if available and provided). Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while receiving scholarship support, and 6) Be enrolled and maintain full-time student status at VSU in a program of study in the food and agricultural sciences within the College of Agriculture, leading towards an undergraduate degree during each semester that the student receives 1890 Scholarship support. The VSU-COA's target goal was twenty-two (22) full scholarships - seventeen (17) in-state rate scholarship and five (5) out- of-state rate scholarships. Additionally, ten (10) partial scholarships based on merit and(or) need and twelve (12) book scholarships were to be awarded to support student retention and progression towards degree completion. Changes/Problems:Challenge scheduling meetings to fit scholars schedules. Recorded virtual meetings will be considered to engage scholars and if they can not attend they will have access to recordings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?News of Virginia State University's "Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program" has been shared via public media outlets, College of Agriculture media (social media platform, digital newsletters, digital print, etc.) and university news. Additionally, information regarding the success of the program and scholars has been shared via talks and conversations with external groups - VSU Ag Alumni, Farm Bureau, Virginia State Fair Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean and Advisory Board, etc. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Thirty-one scholars from the 2021-2022 cohort will continue their academic journey. Four new full scholarship recipients and ten partial scholarship recipients will begin their academic journey as the 2022-2023 cohort and be integrated into the VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. VSU made thirty-one (31) new awards totaling $327,098.25 2. Availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and within reach. 3. Seven full scholarships awarded to six (6) students from Virginia and one out-of-state student. Scholarships distribution - 4 Agriculture, 2 Family and Consumer Science and 1 Hospitality Management. 5. Partial scholarships were awarded to twenty-four students that subsequently assisted in their attending VSU, graduation from as well as retention within the College of Agriculture. 6. 61.5% retention rate for 2020-2021 cohort of scholars. There were 16 scholarship renewals totaling $389,893.27.
Publications
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Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: The target group for the VSU "Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program" scholarship grant is graduating high school seniors and college transfer students seeking to pursue an academic major within one of three academic degrees (Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and Hospitality Management) in the College of Agriculture (COA) at Virginia State University. Funding was also open to currently enrolled students as well. The scholarship is open to students from all racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Eligibility Criteria Applications: Accepted for admission to VSU and enrolled in the semester of acceptance. Desire to study food and agricultural sciences within one of three academic degree programs (Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences or Hospitality Management) in the College of Agriculture. Intend to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences, including careers in industry, research, education and professional services. Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the time of application and a SAT: 1000 or above (if SAT is available at the time of application). Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while receiving scholarship support. Be enrolled and maintain full-time student status at VSU in a program of study in food and agricultural sciences within the College of Agriculture, leading to an undergraduate degree during each semester that the student receives 1890 Scholarship support. ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Complete VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program application. Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor (high school seniors) or academic advisor (2-year College) about applicant's ability to pursue these agricultural options and concentrations. 500-800 word essay describing the applicant's interest and intent to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the 2020-21 academic year, the Dean/1890 Extension Administrator in conjunction with the three department chairs of the COA hosted three (3) virtual engagement events during the year (2 - Fall'20 and 1 - Spring'21). Scholars are emerged in student development activities of the university and their respective departments, i.e. student organizations, invited speakers, guest lectures, business/industry tours, internships, Minority in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS),VSU Honors Program, etc. During the 2020-21 academic year, five scholars inducted into the VSU Honors Program and one scholars accepted for an internship with the "Explore Charleston - Intern Summer Enrichment Program" for summer of 2021. Although on-campus for spring'21 semester, as freshmen, some scholars struggled with the adjustment to college/campus life and functioning under the rigors of COVID-19 guidelines. With VSU reopening fully in fall 2021, we anticipate a more rigorous engagement of all scholarship recipients in an effort to create greater unity and comradery among them. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Communications disseminated via the COA - Marketing and Communications Unit, with written information about the program shared via print and social media platforms. Additionally, oral commentary about the scholarship program shared with external groups by COA Dean, faculty and others, i.e. COA Agriculture Alumni Association, VSU Administration, Farm Bureau, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Advisory Board, State Fair of Virginia Youth Advisory Board, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University - College of Agriculture Dean's Advisory Board, etc What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholarship Program will enroll a cohort of twenty-five (25) full scholarship recipients in the fall of 2021. Eight (8) new full-scholarship recipients added - six Virginia residents and two out-of-state. Full scholarship cohort consist now of 25 scholars, represented across the College of Agriculture's three academic departments as such: Agriculture (13), Family and Consumer Sciences (6) and Hospitality Management (6). In addition to the full scholarship cohort of 25, COA has awarded 5 one-year and 17 two-year partial scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year, at $10,000 and $20,000, respectively, for a total of 30 scholarships. Although on-campus for fall 2021, we anticipate some scholars, especially freshmen, will encounter struggles with the adjustment to college/campus life and functioning under the rigors of continued COVID-19 guidelines. With VSU reopening fully in fall 2021, we anticipate a more rigorous engagement of all scholarship recipients in an effort to create greater unity and comradery among them.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Total financial commitment/obligation planned for the 2020-21 academic year was $537,820.00. Residual balance of $214,812.00 redistributed to increase the overall number of full and partial scholarships offered/awarded for academic year 2021-22. Due to Commonwealth and University mandates about COVID-19, VSU announced in August 2020 that the fall semester would be in a virtual only format, which did not allow for incoming freshmen and returning students to come to campus. This decision has an impact on the COA's ability to spend down funds to support tuition and fees, room, and board charges for VSU Food and Agri-Science Scholars. Twenty-nine (29) students, in total, received scholarship support during the 2020-21 academic year. These funds have allowed COA to increase overall student enrollment in the COA by 7.8%. Fall 2020 Semester: 2020 Scholars Cohort-17 females and 7 males students 17 full scholarships awarded to incoming freshman (11 students from Virginia and 6 out-of-state students from Maryland, New York, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia) Ten (10) partial scholarships awarded to juniors and seniors. Of the three B.S. programs, scholars have concentrations in ag business/economics, animal science, dietetics, family and consumer studies, textiles, and hospitality management 3.31 average GPA of students fall 2020 semester who received full scholarships 3.51 average GPA of students fall 2020 semester who received partial scholarships Three scholarship recipients fell below the mandatory 3.0 GPA for the fall'20 semester. Spring 2021 Semester: VSU announced that students would be reintroduce to campus. Of the 17 full scholarship recipients, 14 made the decision to reside in on-campus housing and the remaining three students to commute or attend virtually. Seventeen (17) students on full scholarship - 6 out-of-state and 11 Virginia residents. Two (2) students received partial scholarships. 3.37 average GPA of students Spring'21 semester who received full scholarships and 3.75 average GPA for students who received partial scholarships.
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