Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students at the project institutions were targeted in this period, specifically those interested in agricultural and science studies. Advertising for the internships was shared with all institutions listed in the grant agreement, including but not limited to agriculture science dept. heads, colleagues, and undergraduate coordinators. During the internship period in summer 2022, student interns were the recipients of education, technical training, and mentoring from the mentors in the program. Student interns also experienced educational programming during weekly 1 hour professionalism and career development courses. The target demographic was undergraduate students in good academic standing, with sophomore credit hoursor higher. The internship was heavily advertised at institutions with significant enrollments of minority and underserved demographics (Hispanic, first generation, etc.)college students. Below are demographics of applicants: Ethnicity, household income, etc. are available at this link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zket2ONkx7ZHDPG_77aHfZ0J2JsexcZr/view?usp=sharing Which University/College do you go to? What is your Major? University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Agribusiness University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Crop Protection Texas A&M University at College Station, TX Plant and Environmental Soil Science with a Crops emphasis Texas A&M University at College Station, TX Bioenvironmental Sciences Texas A&M University at College Station, TX Plant and Soil Science - Crop Production Emphasis University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Horticulture University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Crop Protection University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Horticulture University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Crop Protection University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Agronomy University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Agronomy West Texas A&M at Canyon, TX Plant Soil and Environmental Science Texas Tech University at Lubbock, TX Plant and soil science with a concentration in environmental soil and water science University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Agricultural Economy (Agronegocios) What is your GPA? 3.87 2.87 3.0 2.656 - 3.01 3.65 2.35 3.76 2.31 3.18 3.7 3.0 3.74 Changes/Problems:Administrative challenges were encountered during the initial setup of the student intern hiring and stipend payment processes, particularly with partner institutions. Hiring procedures have been altered and a specific protocol created by TAMU admin staff to assist with 2023 hiring going smoothly. The 2023 application and information pages were amended to include language to ensure intern applicants understand the terms of the program (i.e. you will be subjected to a background check,must make a good faith effort complete the full internship to receive full stipend, etc.) before submitting applications. Two mentors have left their respective institutions in 2022, Cecilia Moncolva-Santana and Maeda Murillo. To ensure 10 interns can still participate in 2023, the remaining 8 mentors have agreed to be open to potentially taking on 2 interns. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Weekly online training in professionalism and career building via online(6) 1-on-1 training and meeting with mentors min. 1x/wk, for each intern. Students were mentored, trained, provided networking opportunities with fellow interns, other students, lab workers, and mentors. Training included but wasn't limited tolab and field technical and applied skills, communication, presentation, anddata analysis and interpretation. Outings, meals, and other activities were planned by each mentor, and interns invited to provide networking and enrichmentopportunities to more fully engage interns. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information of the progress of the program was shared with the PIs colleagues to inform potential sources for future applicant contacts,and included in professional reporting which is shared with TAMU admin. Flyers were created with information & photos of interns from 2022 to share with the public at upcoming field day events, master gardener intern training, etc Student experiences/activities were shared in an oral presentation with PIs colleagues at Caribbean Division American Phytopathological Society meeting (2022 activities were shared Feb 2023, South Padre Island, TX. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Recruit in the 2023 season, arrange logistics for interns, and book weekly guest speakers. Train and mentor interns in summer 2023. Document summary of student intern experiences, including video interviews. Build publicity & advertising for the SCARLET program, improve website. Include speakers for professional and career development who are part of underrepresented demographics in ag science extension and research.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The internship program was initially setup, recruiting materials created and distributed, and applicants reviewed and matched with mentors. Intern logistics were scheduled, specifically, travel was requested, approved, &booked,and intern housing was arranged. 10 undergraduate students accepted and began internships with SCARLET, one at each of the collaborating labs. 9 students completed the internship. 2022 Participant Information Full Name and Last Name: (Ex. John Doe) Which University/College do you go to? PI Entity Stationed Waldy Arbelo Esteves University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Maeda TAMU Lubbock Gabriel Garcia Rivera University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Lewis TAMU Lubbock Alondra Vega Ayala University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Alabi TAMU Weslaco Elizabeth Brzozowske Texas Tech University at Lubbock, TX Acosta-Martinez USDA-ARS Lubbock Jean-Marie Denise Holmes Texas A&M University at College Station, TX Laza TTU Lubbock Steven G. Santiago Rivera University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Obasa TAMU Amarillo Katrina Jackson West Texas A&M at Canyon, TX Cochran TAMU Uvalde Karla Fagundo Valentin University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Feliciano-Rivera UPRM Isabela, PR Fransuá Otero Margary University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Serrato-Diaz USDA-ARS-TARS Mayaguez, PR Isabela M. Estrada Soto University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus Monclova-Santana TAMU Lubbock Students were mentored, trained, provided networking opportunities with fellow interns, other students, lab workers, and mentors. Training included but wasn't limited to lab and field technical and applied skills, communication, presentation, anddata analysis and interpretation. Outings, meals, and other activities were planned by each mentor, and interns invited to provide networking and enrichment opportunities to more fully engage interns. Interns created a final report presentation about the skills, activities, and projects they worked on during the program and shared it with the group via online meetings.
Publications
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