Progress 07/15/23 to 07/14/24
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 tranfsers 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 sholarhship 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 receives1890 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) patial 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: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 07/15/22 to 07/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The availability of scholarship dollars to VSU;s College of Agriculture, will provide not only a tremendous boost to available resouces from which to recruilt high caliber students to food/ag disciplines but also the financial means by which to support them through graduation. The demograchics of target population will focus towards: U.S. Citizen; Genuine interest in the Food and Agricultural Scinces; First-Time in College (FTIC) Freshmen - High School Senior; Community/Junior College Transfers; Enrolled/returning VSU- College of Agriculture Upperclassmen (Junior & Seniors with 3.0 or better GPA); Rural, Urban and Suburban populace; High School Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale); qualify for admission to Virginia State University; Scored 1000 or more (reading & math) or a composite score of 19 or better on the ACT; Demonstrated leadership and community service. Total spent for the period $375,813.13 for 18 scholars. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
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?It is our intent to maximize the impact of program and experience for the studentsand all involved. 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.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
VSU made thirty-one (18) new awards totaling $375,813.13 Availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and within reach
Publications
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Progress 07/15/21 to 07/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The availability of scholarship dollars to VSU;s College of Agriculture, will provide not only a tremendous boost to available resouces from which to recruilt high caliber students to food/ag disciplines but also the financial means by which to support them through graduation. The demograchics of target population will focus towards: U.S. Citizen; Genuine interest in the Food and Agricultural Scinces; First-Time in College (FTIC) Freshmen - High School Senior; Community/Junior College Transfers; Enrolled/returning VSU- College of Agriculture Upperclassmen (Junior & Seniors with 3.0 or better GPA); Rural, Urban and Suburban populace; High School Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale); qualify for admission to Virginia State University; Scored 1000 or more (reading & math) or a composite score of 19 or better on the ACT; Demonstrated leadership and community service. Total spent for the period $375,813.13 for 18 scholars. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
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?It is our intent to maximize the impact of program and experience for the studentsand all involved.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.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
VSU made thirty-one (18) new awards totaling $375,813.13 Availability of scholarship funds assisted in making a college education affordable and within reach.
Publications
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