Progress 07/15/23 to 07/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We prepare a completion (teach-out) financial plan for each student accepted into the program. Based on program enrollment, we update our projection on when (which semester or semesters) each of the 1890 Scholarship awards will be used. We plan to use the funding from this award in AY 2024-25(we have only used $850.05 fromthis award). We will document and report the professional development activities next year. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We regularly present the program updates and achievements to the WVSU Board of Governors, WVSU General Faculty, the WVSU Faculty Senate, the President's cabinet, Student body meetings, and Colleges' Advisory Boards to promote and share the program's success. We have also used the program website to disseminate information related to the program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are currently recruiting more students for the 1890 Scholarships Program at WVSU. Thisaward willsupport the Scholars' education next year. We will continue to provide professional development, academic support,and advising opportunities to our scholars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have no significant activity on this award. In Spring 2024, we used $850.05 from this award to purchase about 15 books for the scholars' professional development. We plan to use this award in AY 2024-25.However, below is a summary overview ofthe1890 Scholarship Program at West Virginia State University ("the program"). The program started in the Fall 2020 semester and has realized significant growth and success over the last four years. At the start of the Spring 2024 semester, there were 41 students in the program. The program has enabled WVSU to develop four academic programs focusing on agriculture and food sciences. Since thestart of the program, sixty-three(63) students have been accepted for these academic programs. So, the goal of increasing the number of students pursuing agriculture-related degree programs is being fulfilled. Some of those 63 students have been removed from the program for various reasons (low GPA, switching major, transfer to other schools, etc.). Overall, the program has a retention rate significantly higher than the university's. By the end of the Spring 2024 semester, seven (7) scholars have graduated, with one more set to graduate at the end of the Summer 2024 semester. These graduates include 3 in B.S. in Biology (Plant & Soil Science Option), 4 in B.S. in Business (Agribusiness Concentration), 1 in B.S. in Chemistry (Applied Chemistry Option), and 1 in B.S. in Economics (Agriculture Economics). Note that one graduating scholardouble majored in Biology and Chemistry. Regarding these eight (8) Scholars who will have graduated before the start of the Fall 2024 semester, it is worth mentioning that all of them finished the program within 4 years (a maximum of 8 semesters). Another 37 are on the path to graduation. The projected 4-year graduation rate for the 1890 Scholars is over 70% (about 4 times higher than the university's 4-year graduation rate). The program is proud to share that five (5) of its scholars have been accepted for the 1890 USDA National Scholars Program.
Publications
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Progress 07/15/22 to 07/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience for the program has been (i) All newly admitted students at WVSU (both freshmen and transfers), (ii) appropriate current WVSU students, and (iii) High school seniors taking early enrollment (dual-credit) classes with WVSU. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional development for the scholars included resume training during the Fall 2021 semester, led by the interim USDA Liaison for WVSU, Allison Johnson. This was followed up with several scholars participating in the Fall 2021 Career Opportunities Workshop organizedby the 1890 Universities Foundation. During the Spring 2022 semester, the professional development for the scholars included pieces of training from the new Executive Director of the WVSU Career Services, Travis Kahle as well as financial aid information from Ms. Jodi Johnston. During the Fall 2022 semester, the scholars participated in one of the listening sessions for the strategic plan being developed at WVSU. Another session focused on creating a federal resume and searching USAjobs.gov for internship opportunities.Scholars were asked during the final session for the fall what types of professional development topics would they like to participate in, and they identified public speaking, networking, critical thinking,communication skills, andtime management as their top five topics of interest. In the spring of 2023, we had Rebekah Redman, Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships come to talk about the importance of filling out FERPA as well as Linda Madden (Human Resource Specialist) and Buddy Davidson (Marketing Specialist) talk about the internship and job opportunities at the WV Department of Agriculture.Ms. Madden also gave the students tips on resumes, cover letters, and interviewing for internships and jobs. Students are required to submit academic progress reports. These are submitted electronically via Google Forms by their instructors after weeks 4 and week 8 of the semester. This practice has enabled us to assist our students in timeto help themsucceed in their classes. Several students pursue experiential learning and research opportunities in the summer semesters.We also had two students doing internships with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture in their Business Division and another student working with a local beekeeper in developing marketing plans for his honey operation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have regularly presented to the WVSU Board of Governors, WVSU General Faculty, the WVSU Faculty Senate, the President's cabinet, Student body meetings, and Colleges' Advisory Boards to promote and share the program's success. We have also used the program website to disseminate information related to the program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue (i) monitoringstudents' progress and success in the program, (ii) reviewing and revising the available financial resources, and (iii) exploring and expanding professional development and experiential learning opportunities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have completed the third year of the WVSU 1890 Scholarship Program, which has provided students at West Virginia State University (WVSU) support to study and experience academic programs supporting food and agriculture education. Currently, four academic programs are supported by the 1890 Scholarship Program. These programs include B.S. Biology - Plant and Soil Science option (Biology-PSS), B.S. in Business Administration - Agribusiness concentration (Business Administration-A), B.S. in Chemistry - Applied Chemistry option (Chemistry-AC), and B.S. in Economics - Agricultural Economics (Economics-AE). Starting Fall 2020, we supported six first-time freshmen; 4 in Biology-PSS, 1 in Business Administration-A, and 1 in (Economics-AE). Two scholars received full and 4 received partial support. One student was placed on probation because of a low GPA. We provided additional advising and tutoring to this probationary student to help her improve, but she failed to raise her GPA by the end of the Spring 2021 semester and was released from the program. Starting Fall 2021, we added Chemistry-AC to the program. Also, we opened up the WVSU 1890 Scholarship opportunities to current students in addition to first-time freshmen and transfer students. The 1890 Scholarship Team developed the 1890 Scholarship application and the recommenders' forms in fillable pdf format. We used these forms alongside WVSU's admission applications to recruit students. These forms were upgraded for the Spring 2022 semester and were made available on the website. The 1890 Scholarship Team used several tactics to improve recruitment, including a postcard campaign to all early enrollment seniors at the high schools and a calling campaign to qualified students who were admitted to Biology, Chemistry, Business, and Economics programs. The Academic Program Coordinators (APCs) attended and recruited students at the New Student Orientations during the summer of 2021. The website for the WVSU 1890 Scholarship was updated with current information, documents, and links (https://www.wvstateu.edu/research/1890-scholarship-program.aspx). Twenty (14 freshmen, 3 transfer, 2 re-admits, 1 post-grad) new WVSU 1890 Scholars were recruited for the Fall 2021 semester in addition to the five continuing scholars. Of these 25 WVSU 1890 Scholars (at the start of Fall 2021), we had 16 in Biology-PSS, 4 in Chemistry-AC, 4 in Business Administration-A, and 2 in Economics-AC. The group comprises 15 females and 10 males, which include 16 first-generation students and 4 out-of-state students. Ethnically, we had 20 Caucasian, 4 African American/Black, and 1 (Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander). Eleven students received full, and 14 students received partial financial support. In Spring 2022 semester, we added three new 1890 Scholars to our roster. We also had three students leave the program (two transferred, and one was dropped because of a low GPA). One student took a medical leave of absence. Thus, we started Spring 2022 with 24 students (12 in Biology-PSS, 3 in Chemistry-AC, 7 in Business Administration-A, and 2 in Economics-AE. The group comprised 13 females and 10 males (and one preferred not to answer) and included 14 first-generation students. There were 19 in-state and 5 out-of-state students. Ethnically, we had 19 Caucasian/White, 3 African American/Black, and 2 two ethnic groups (Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander). Eleven scholars received full and 13 received partial financial support. Seven students left the program before the start of the Fall 2022 (2 switched majors, 4 dropped for low GPA, and 1 dropped for not making progress toward the degree). Two of the scholars were awarded USDA 1890 National Scholarships. We recruited ten new scholars for the Fall 2022 semester (one deferred to Fall 2023). Thus, we started the Fall 2022 semester with 27 scholars (11 in Biology-PSS, 3 in Chemistry-AC, 11 in Business Administration-A, and 2 in Economics-AE). This group comprised 19 females and 7 males, and one preferred not to answer. There were 15 first-generation, 20 in-state, and 7 out-of-state students in this group. Ethnically, 19 scholars identified as Caucasian/White, 6 as African American/Black, and 2 as two-ethnic groups (1 Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander and 1 Caucasian + American Indian/Alaska Native). We piloted using Google Forms to receive students' progress reports from instructors in the Fall 2022 and have continued using this at the end of the 4th and the 8th week of a semester. In Spring 2023 semester, we added three new scholars to the program, and one student transferred to another institution. So, we started the Spring 2023 semester with 29 scholars (11 in Biology-PSS, 3 in Chemistry-AC, 13 in Business Administration-A, and 2 in Economics-AE). The group consisted of 20 females, 8 males, and one prefer not to answer. A total of 15 scholars were first-generation students. Ethnically, 20 scholars were Caucasian/White, 7 African American/Black, and 2 two-ethnic groups (1 Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander and 1 Caucasian + American Indian/Alaska Native). Also in Spring 2023, Dr. Saman Bandara (associate professor of economics) joined our team as a Co-PD. In addition to other responsibilities, he mentors students pursuing the Agricultural Economics option. We are thrilled to report that three of our 1890 Scholars graduated in May 2023. The 1890 Scholarship Team has almost finished evaluating the applications for Fall 2023 semester, and at this point, we have accepted 17 new students to the program. Two students have been dropped because of low GPA. We expect to start the Fall semester with 40 students in the program and hence will surpass our goal of having at least 39 students in the program. The WVSU 1890 Scholarship Team comprising the PD, the Co-PDs, and the Director of the WVSU Early Enrollment program, meets biweekly to discuss the program's and the scholars' progress, develop ways to promote the program, and create new professional development opportunities for the scholars. The Internal Steering Advisory Council for the program meets twice every semester. The committee comprises universityadministrators and staff members. It facilitates the work of the 1890 Scholarship Team and ensures compliance with policies. The 1890 WVSU Scholarship Program team closely monitors the progress and performance of every 1890 Scholar. Students who drop below 3.0 (but above 2.8) are given targeted help by the faculty advisor, the Office of Retention and Student Success, and university tutors to improve performance. The students who drop below 2.8 (at the end of the year) are dropped from the program.
Publications
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Progress 07/15/21 to 07/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience for the program has been: (1) All admitted students at WVSU (both freshmen and transfers), (2) current students at WVSU, and (3) High school seniors taking early enrollment (dual-credit) classes with WVSU. Changes/Problems:In the Fall 2021 semester, the PD on the WVSU 1890 Scholarship Program changed to Dr. Naveed Zaman, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics after the departure of Dr. J. Ulises Toledo on August 30, 2021. The 1890 Scholarship Team at WVSU now consists of Dr. Zaman, Dr. Liedl (Biology), Dr. Fultz (Chemistry), and Mrs. Williams (Business Administration & Economics) along with Mr. James Taylor, who is responsible for early enrollment classes offered by WVSU at high schools in six counties of WV. In the Spring 2022 semester, no major changes were made tothe 1890 Scholarship Team at WVSU except for adding Ms. Katie Bentley (to replace Mr. James Taylor). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Professional development for the scholars included resume training during the Fall 2021 semester, led by the interim USDA Liaison for WVSU, Allison Johnson. This was followed up with several scholars participating in the Fall 2021 Career Opportunities Workshop put on by the 1890 Universities Foundation. During the Spring 2022 semester, the professional development for the scholars included pieces of training from the new Executive Director of the WVSU Career Services, Travis Kahle as well as financial aid information from Ms. Jodi Johnston. Students were required to submit academic progress reports signed by their instructors after weeks 4 and 8 of the semester. This enabled us to provide in-time assistance to our students to help the scholar succeed in their classes. Several students are pursuing experiential learning opportunities in the summer of 2022 including research in the labs of WVSU scientists and working with local agricultural businesses providing marketing assistance. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to promote the 1890 Scholarship Program by advertising it state-wide via written publications, social media, and the WVSU website. We have shared the program data and success with the newly formed Internal Steering Advisory Council and the WVSU Board of Governors. In addition, the program accomplishments and/or datahave been shared with faculty andstudent groups. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are actively recruiting for the program for next year. We set an information and recruiting table for the program at the University's New Students Orientation (NSO) on June 25. We plan to do the same at the next two NSOs on July 15 and August 10. We have also created a new (and updated) brochure for the program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This was the second year the 1890 Scholarship Program has provided students at West Virginia State University (WVSU) support to study and experience academic programs supporting food and agriculture. Starting Fall 2020 semester, we supported six first-time freshmen in three majors (4 Biology/Plant and Soil Science option, 1 Business Administration/Agribusiness concentration, and 1 Economics/Agricultural Economics). Support for the WVSU 1890 Scholars varied from 2 receiving full (tuition, fees, books, and room/board) to 4 partial (tuition, fees, and books). One student was placed on probation (because of a lower GPA) after we reviewed the academic performance of 1890 Scholars in the fall 2020 semester. We provided additional advising and tutoring to this probationary student to help her improve, but she could not be motivated to raise her GPA by the end of the spring 2021 semester. Consequently, she was released from the WVSU 1890 Scholarship Program. Recruiting for the fall 2021 cohort was enhanced with the addition of a fourth major, BS in Chemistry - Applied option, which was approved by the USDA to be added in spring 2021. In addition, the WVSU administration opened up the WVSU 1890Scholarship opportunities to current students as well as first-time freshmen and transfer students. The 1890 Scholarship Team, with the help of the R&D Communications Staff, developed the 1890 Scholarship's application form and recommenders form; both in fillable pdf format. We used these forms alongside WVSU's admission/recruiting applications to recruit students for the 1890 Scholarship Program from the fall 2021 incoming class. Additional edits have been made to these forms for the spring 2022 semester and the forms are available on the website. The 1890 Scholarship Team used several tactics to improve recruitment, which started with a postcard campaign sent to all early-enrollment graduating seniors at the high schools in six counties. The website for the WVSU 1890 Scholarship was updated with current information, documents, and links (https://www.wvstateu.edu/research/1890-scholarship-program.aspx). The three Academic Program Coordinators contacted all admitted students in the Biology, Chemistry, Business Administration, and Economics Departments that met the criteria for the scholarship by sending emails and following up with phone calls. In addition, the Academic Program Coordinators attended and recruited students at two of the three New Student Orientations during the summer of 2021. Twenty new WVSU 1890 Scholars were recruited for the Fall 2021 semester in addition to the five continuing scholars from the previous academic year. Of the twenty new WVSU 1890 Scholars, 14 were first-time freshmen, 3 were transfer students,2 were re-admitted students and 1 was a special/post-graduate student. Of these 25 WVSU 1890 Scholars (at the start of Fall 2021), we had 16 in BS Biology - Plant and Soil Science option, 4 in BS Chemistry - Applied option, 4 in Business Administration - Agribusiness concentration, and 2 in Economics - Agricultural Economics concentration. The group comprises 15 females and 10 males, which include 16 first-generation students and 4out-of-state students. Ethnically, our students are predominantly Caucasian/White (20), with 4 African American/Black and 1 two ethnic groups (Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander). Support for the WVSU 1890 Scholars in the fall 2021 semester varied from 11 receiving full (tuition, fees, books, and room/board) to 14 partial (tuition, fees, and books). Advising for the WVSU1890 Scholars is done both by faculty within their respective majors as well as by the appropriate academic program coordinator. Scholars who did not have a GPA at or above 3.0 were provided additional support from an academic program coordinator as well as tutors as needed for specific subjects. In the Spring 2022 semester, we added three new 1890 Scholars to our roster; two were current students at WVSU and the third was a transfer student. We also had three students leave the program; two decided to transfer to other institutions and the third was dropped because his GPA was too low to reach an acceptable level even after an additional semester. One additional scholar had to take a medical leave of absence during the semester but is on track to come back in the Fall 2022semester. Thus, 24 students matriculated at WVSU supported by the 1890 Scholarship Program with 12 majoring in BS Biology - Plant and Soil Science option, 3 in BS Chemistry - Applied Chemistry option, 7 in Business Administration - Agribusiness concentration, and 2 in Economics - Agricultural Economics concentration. The group which comprises 13 females and 10 males, includes 14 first-generation students. There are 19 in-state and 5 out-of-state students. Ethnically, our students are predominantly Caucasian/White (19), with 3 African American/Black and 2 two ethnic groups (Caucasian/White + Pacific Islander). Support for the WVSU 1890 Scholars in the spring of 2022 semester varied from 11 receiving full (tuition, fees, books, and room/board) to 13 partial (tuition, fees, and books). Advising for the WVSU 1890 Scholars is done both by faculty within their respective majors and by the appropriate academic program coordinator. Scholars who did not have a GPA at or above 3.0 were provided additional support from an academic program coordinator as well as tutors as needed for specific subjects. An Internal Steering Advisory Council was established which met twice in the Spring 2022 semester. The committee comprises various administrators at WVSU to facilitate the work of the 1890 Scholarship Team and ensure compliance with policies. Moving forward, this Council will meet regularly every semester. Applications for new scholars to join the 1890 Scholarship roster in the Fall 2022 semester are being evaluated by the team with the hopes of making awards (for Fall 2022) in July 2022. The 1890 WVSU Scholarship Program team is also reviewing the progress and performance of the existing 1890 Scholars. Some students who had the WVSU 1890 Scholarship award for the Spring 2022 semester may not be eligible for the award for the Fall 2022 semester because either they have switched majors or their GPA has dropped below 2.8. The revised application and recommendation forms have streamlined our application process as well as keeping the website for the WVSU 1890 Scholarship updated with current information, documents, and links (https://www.wvstateu.edu/research/1890-scholarship-program.aspx). We have had 20 complete applications for the Fall 2022 cohort.
Publications
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