Progress 07/15/23 to 07/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Continuing to establish and refine mandatory professional and career development programs linked to continued 1890 scholarship funding for students (in addition to GPA requirements). The rationale is that the students need to be cognizant of USDA agencies and career opportunities in order to address agricultural workforce needs statewide and nationally. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One student traveled to Zambia with the Study Abroad Program on July 1, 2024. Many scholars participated in the Mentor Collective Peer mentoring Program organized by the SSWD Center at NCAT. Mentor Collective also initiated Career Mentoring Program. This is also sponsored by SSWD center at NCAT 3 scholars participated in the 2024 Agricultural Export Market Challenge organized by the USDA- Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Ag. Communication department in the College of Ag., Family Sciences and Technology featured at least 2 scholars: https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fvsu/news-room/post/fvsu-student-recognized-by-board-of-regents-for-scholastic-achievements?Search=Cloy https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fvsu/news-room/post/fvsu-students-join-the-white-house-hbcu-scholars-initiative?Search=Cloy https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fvsu/news-room/post/double-distinction-fort-valley-state-university-co-valedictorians-inspire-excellence?Search=Cloy https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fvsu/news-room/post/future-childcare-professional-to-graduate-as-co-valedictorian?Search=Cloy Andrea Rubio Villa: https://ag.fvsu.edu/news/fort-valley-state-students-awarded-biennial-research-symposium What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to fine tune scholarship administration by improving communication and media improving clarity to student and parent, Emphasize professional and career development to 1890 students Improve tracking of students migrating through program and beyond.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Student will be recruited, engaged, mentored and train for a career in agriculture and related majors upon graduation from FVSU. Selected students in CAFST will be provided scholarships to reduce debt upon graduation and eliminate the need for second jobs during their years as a student scholar. During their years as ag scholars at FVSU, students will be engaged, mentored and trained to be workforce ready upon graduation. Accomplishments Major goals of the project Increase the number of students enrolling and graduating with a degree in agriculture and related majors. Increase the number of work-force ready graduates in agriculture and related majors for USDA and associated ag industries. Reduce debt of students in ag and related majors upon graduation What was accomplished under these goals? 10 scholars presented at the 14th Annual Research and Creative Works Symposium, April 24-25, 2024. 7 scholars received awards at the annual Awards and recognition TEA organized by the Department of Family and Consumers Sciences. Over 52 scholars were honored at both the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology's 2024 Agri-Demic Forum Awards Banquet and on Honor Convocation Day at the university level. 1 of the scholars was one of the spring 2024 two Valedictorians (Elisha Cloy). 1 student travelled to Zambia on study Abroad Program on July 1, 2024. 31 scholars graduated during the 2020-2024 period and about 52% of the graduates have either secured jobs or will be pursuing graduate studies (1 student is working for the USDA-FSA, 1 at Land O'Lakes, 1 at Corteva, 7 students will be or are already pursuing graduate studies, 2 in veterinary medical school, and 2 working for the Department of Defense (1 active duty)). 3 scholars participated in the 2024 Agricultural Export Market Challenge organized by the USDA- Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
Publications
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Progress 07/15/22 to 07/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:TARGET AUDIENCE: The 1890 Scholarships Program is intended to support: 1) the recruitment of outstanding high school and transfer students into 1890 institutions; engagement; 3) retention; 4) mentorship; and training of undergraduate students to pursue baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences and related fields that will result in a highly skilled workforce in the food and agriculture sectors. Changes/Problems:We continue to refine our messaging to students and parents regarding the scholarship program. Students must participate in planned activities in order to maintain the scholarship. They must also retain the requisite GPA to remain a scholar. We are reviewing student progress each semester to ensure that they remain on track. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students have opportunities for training and professional development through MANNRS which sponsors professional development conferences. They also have access to internships, undergraduate research and are required to do conference presenations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our Ag Communications Team frequently highlight students in CAFST, particularly 1890 Scholars What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to refine our administration of the scholarship and include programming which utilizes ag alumni, faculty and staff to mentor and talk about opportunities in Ag and within USDA.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions (1890 Scholarships) grant will meet the national need for highly-skilled workforce, by recruiting, training and pipelining eighty two (82) underrepresented outstanding students into productive careers in the food, agriculture and related fields. The following objectives will be achieved in the project by providing support to: 1) Increase the number of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in food, agricultural and related sciences through financial assistance in the form of 82 scholarships; 2) improve soft skills and technical competencies needed for the workforce; and 3) increase the competitiveness of students for careers in government and private food, agriculture and related industries. This project will enhance the number, quality and diversity of graduates in the food, agricultural sciences and related fields to satisfy the future demand for a highly-skilled workforce of the 21st century and also enhance America's competitiveness in the global science and technology economy. OBJECTIVES: The Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions (1890 Scholarships) grant will meet the national need for highly-skilled workforce, by recruiting, training and pipelining eighty two (82) underrepresented outstanding students into productive careers in in the food, agriculture and related fields. The objectives will be achieved in the project by providing support to: 1) increase the number of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in food, agricultural and related sciences through financial assistance in the form of 82 scholarships; 2) improve soft skills and technical competencies needed for the workforce; and 3) increase the competitiveness of students for careers in government and private food, agriculture and related industries. APPROACH: 1) Rigorous recruitment and selection process 2) Academic advising, career counseling, mentoring, pipelining and student support services 3) Plan for advance placement for both in-country/ international experiential research and other learning activities 4) Measuring performance outcomes MAJOR GOAL: Our goal is to enhance the number, quality and diversity of graduates in the food, agricultural sciences and related fields to satisfy the future demand for a highly-skilled workforce. TARGET AUDIENCE: The 1890 Scholarships Program is intended to support: 1) the recruitment of outstanding high school and transfer students into 1890 institutions; engagement; 3) retention; 4) mentorship; and training of undergraduate students to pursue baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences and related fields that will result in a highly skilled workforce in the food and agriculture sectors. IMPACT: The College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST) was awarded the USDA-NIFA 1890 Scholarship Program grant for $2,000,000 for four years. An additional $250,000 discretional money was also awarded for only one year, bringing the total to $2,250,000. Additional discretional funds were added during subsequent years. Overall, a total of 215 scholarships were awarded to 114 scholars totaling up to $779,376 during the 2022-2023 academic year, see Table 1. Table 1. SEMESTER # OF SCHOLARSHIPS TOTAL AMOUNTS # of Scholars Fall 2022 111 $402,879 Spring 2023 104 $376,497 Total 215 $779,376 114 Club membership Almost all the scholars are members of the FVSU Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Agri-Demic Forum and other discipline specific clubs (Animal Science Club, Vet Science Club, Family and Consumer Science Club, etc.) Professional Development (leadership training, internships, study abroad, etc.): At least, 2 scholars have participated in the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) leadership training. Fourteen (14) scholars participated in the 2023 MANNRS National Conference. Three (3) scholars participated in the 2023 MANRRS National pre-conference field trip to AGCO headquarters in Atlanta where scholars were introduced to new technologies in tractor manufacturing and were also given tractor driving lessons. One of the scholars was awarded a Farm Credit VIP Scholarship to attend the MANRRS National Conference. In addition, 4 scholars participated in global experiential learning trips to Belize, Ghana, and the Cote D'Ivoire. In terms of internships and undergraduate research, at least 9 scholars interned or participated in research activities at various agribusiness companies, federal Government departments, and universities. These included Land O'Lakes, Syngenta, National Crop Insurance (NCIS), Robins Airforce Base, Fort Valley State University, Wake Forest University, Morehouse School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (US-Davis), and the University of Georgia. Also, about 5 Scholars also participated in conference presentations and quiz bowl competitions where one student won first place in poster presentation. (Furthermore, Student Awards: 1. 2023 Valedictorian 2.First place for poster presentation 3. 2023 Farm Credit VIP Scholar 4. More than 50 scholars were honored by the university at the 2023 Honors Convocation and by College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST) for their academic achievements. Retention: The team worked closely with the university's Student Engagement Achievement (SEA) Center with respect to advisement of freshmen and sophomores. Starting in fall 2022 semester, we started a peer mentoring program through Mentor Collective, a company hired by Motivate and Educate for Achievement (MEA) Center of Excellence to help retain freshmen and sophomores. A total of 39 mentors (juniors and seniors from the CAFST) signed up but only 16 underwent the training. The trained mentors were matched with 31 mentees (freshmen and sophomores). This opportunity was opened to all freshmen in the college, but sophomores were supposed to be FVSU 1890 Scholars. Overall, approximately 97% percent of 2022-2023 scholars were retained. Graduates and Employment and Graduate/Professional School: So far three scholars have graduated, and they all have been placed. Two are in graduate school at Tuskegee University (Agricultural economics and DVM). The third student is employed by BASF in North Carolina with a starting annual salary of $75,000. Table 2. Professional Development # of Scholars Agriculture Future Farmers of America 2 2023 MANRRS National Conference 14 AGCO Field Trip 3 Internships 4 Undergraduate Research 5 Department Of Defense 1 Study abroad 4 Conference Presentations 5
Publications
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Progress 07/15/21 to 07/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience include high school students, community, technical and 4 year college transfer students as well as undecided major students. Changes/Problems:Coivd pandemic cause disruption in openness of campus for students to attend classes and laboratory sessions where hands-on activities are very important to a number of agriculture and related STEM classes. Classes were converted to virtual and hybrid delivery modules so that students could continue progressing toward graduation. Certain interns were also offered to students by virtual delivery, which reduced face-to-face experiences as well as opportunities to travel and get directly engaged with their peers, customers and supervisors. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have led efforts to engage our scholars with existing student and campus organizations as welll as led them to professional meetings and conferences where professional development is the focus including resume writing, buildiing interview skills and dressing for success. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information about our FVSU1890 scholarship program (FVSU1890sp) has been disseminated throough the various college and campus social media outlets, presentations and distributions of hard copies of related recruitment materials at career fairs, open house, to campus visitors and both on campus as well as local and regional high school events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue mentoring, advising, career counseloring and engaging them with student and professional organizations while attending student and professional conferences.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A major goal of this project and one that we have been successful in is to increase the number of students pursuing baccalareate degrees in food, agricultural and related sciences, specially in our College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST). We have had 3 straight years of continuous ungraduate enrollment growth in the college.That includes a 10% (+51) growth in fall, 2021 over fall, 2020, reaching a total of 583, which is the highest over the past decade.
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