Progress 06/01/24 to 05/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:For Year 2, our target audience consisted of college students, high school students, middle school students, educators, and parents. A description of each target audience is as follows:College Students: This was the 1st year in which we had our AgriFCS Scholars at each respective campus. They were heavily recruited during Year 1. At the beginning of the 2024-2025 academy year, the AgriFCS Academy awarded 108 partial scholarships. At SCSU, 34 students were from SC, and 21 students were from out-of-state. Out-of-state students attended SCSU from CA, CO, FL, GA, MI, MS, NC, NV, and TX. There were 26 students who declared majors in Agribusiness; 4 students declared majors in FCS Business/Child Development; 4 students declared majors in FCS Business/Fashion Merchandising; 9 students declared majors in FCS Business/Multidisciplinary; and 12 students declared majors in Nutrition and Food Management. These students were heavily recruited through the help of the Office of Admissions and recommendations of their school counselors, Career and Technical Education directors, teachers, and administrators of their respective high schools. At AAMU, 26 students were from AL and 27 students were from out-of-state. Out-of-state students attended AAMU from TN, KY, MD, MS, OH, IL, GA, and IN. There were 17 students who declared majors in Nutrition and Hospitality Management; 20 students declared majors in Human Development and Family Studies; and 18 students declared majors in Apparel Merchandising and Design. These students were heavily recruited through the help of the Office of Admissions and recommendations of their school counselors, Career and Technical Education directors, teachers, and administrators of their respective high schools. These students were also heavily recruited through the help of the Office of Admissions and recommendations of their school counselors, Career and Technical Education directors, teachers, and administrators of their respective high schools.High School Students: The AgriFCS Academy was able to target approximately 348 high school students this year. This was done in the format of attending recruitment events and participating in leadership meetings, and conferences for student organizations related to Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH). The recruitment events allowed information to be shared on programs that could be studied at SCSU or AAMU to pursue careers in FANH. Of note, SCSU hosted the South Carolina Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America's (SCFCCLA) Fall Leadership meeting on campus. This allowed 150 high school students to attend campus and not only learning about leadership skills, but also the programs of study in the College of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences. AgriFCS Scholars were able to share their experience of being a college student in CAFCS. AgriFCS Scholars also served recruiters and competition judges at SCFCCLA's State Leadership meeting. This was another opportunity for the AgriFCS Academy to engage with high school students and their teachers.Middle School Students: The AgriFCS Academy was able to target approximately 36 middle school students this year. This was done in the format of consistent communication with middle school counselors and holding a recruitment event at one of the local middle schools, in which 16 students received information about the Mentor Program. These efforts allowed the Middle School Mentor Program to begin this year, in which 20 middle school students and 19 parents/guardians participated in the program.Educators: The AgriFCS Academy was able to target approximately 79 educators this year. This was done in the format of offering professional development opportunities and presenting them at professional conferences. The Program Directors were able to share information about the AgriFCS Academy and highlight the academic programs at each respective university. In addition, professional development opportunities were also offered on topics that would assist educators in their current practices. Of note, 3 educators were able to earn certification in ServSafe as a ServSafe Food Handler and ServSafe Manager.Parents: The AgriFCS academy was able to target approximately 89 parents this year. Before the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, 19 parents participated in a parental information Zoom session prior to their scholars coming to campus. This allowed them to ask questions about the move-in process on campus and additional information on how their children could maintain their scholarships. At a recruitment fair, 15 parents stopped by to receive additional information about academic programs at SCSU. In preparation for the Middle School and Parent Mentor program, 35 parents showed interest in participating in the program. However, only 19 were able to participate. These 19 parents attended monthly meetings as their middle school child attended separate sessions geared towards their personal growth and development. Changes/Problems:There were significant changes/problems that affected reaching the objectives of this grant project for Year 2. Many of these problems are attributed to the suspension of the grant during the Spring 2025 Semester. As a result, the following problems arose: Loss of Scholarship Students Students Picked Up by Other Scholarship Programs: The departure of scholarship students to other programs has created a major disruption in the continuity of services and activities originally outlined in the grant. These students were part of targeted cohorts whose engagement, retention, and success were critical metrics for evaluating program effectiveness. Losing them diminished cohort numbers, reducing the program's overall impact and undermining long-term tracking of academic and professional outcomes. Some Students Decided to transfer to Other Universities: Student transfers further disrupted the implementation of grant objectives related to mentoring, academic support, and leadership development. Each student lost represents a gap in participation data, a missed opportunity for direct impact, and reduced overall visibility of the program. Transfers also diminished peer mentorship structures that relied on multi-level student involvement across class years. Pause on Accepting New Students to the AgriFCS Academy Uncertainty of Being Able to Financially Provide New Scholarships:The inability to guarantee financial support meant recruitment had to be paused, directly affecting the growth and sustainability of the program. This break in recruitment also created a gap in the scholar pipeline. To date, both SCSU and AAMU have several scholarship slots that need to be filled. With fewer new students entering the program, projections related to student engagement, degree completion, and workforce placement could potentially be compromised. Additionally, current scholars felt the burden of reduced resources and community, further lowering morale. Suspension of Spring 2025 Events Scholars Missed Out on Several Events:Events are essential for professional development, experiential learning, and networking. Canceling these events removed key opportunities for students to build critical soft skills, make professional connections, and apply classroom knowledge to real-world experiences. This not only hindered their individual growth but also affected measurable outcomes tied to scholar engagement and workforce readiness. Canceled Recruitment Events:Recruitment efforts were significantly weakened due to geographic limitations. Certain school districts that had previously shown interest in the program or were strategic recruitment targets were completely missed. This impacted demographic target, outreach numbers, and future applicant pools. Remaining hyper-local also limited broader awareness of the program and constrained its reach. Canceled Professional Development Events:Professional development activities are a cornerstone of scholar success and retention. Canceling these events meant scholars missed structured learning experiences essential for leadership, financial literacy, career planning, and academic success. The absence of these touchpoints hindered progress toward grant goals related to scholar growth and long-term preparation for FANH-related careers. Last-Minute Recruitment for Summer Leadership Academy The policy shift at AMMU forced a condensed timeline for recruitment and planning, making it extremely difficult to effectively promote the Summer Leadership Academy. In addition, because wewere unsure if we would be able to have the Summer Leadership Academy due to the temporary suspension of the grant, recruitment time from January - April was lost for both institutions. As a result, the number of attendees was low for AAMU's Summer Leadership Academy. This not only affected short-term participation goals but also weakened momentum for year-round programming and engagement. The rushed recruitment also limited the ability to select and prepare students who would have benefited most from the experience. To date, SCSU's camps will be held in July, and it's uncertain if they will reach their goal of desired campers. Loss of Staff Members and the Hiring of New Staff Losing experienced staff members severely impacted AAMU's ability to maintain consistency in operations, communication, and student support. SCSU's staff was on the chopping block as well, but the suspension was lifted at the last minute. Staff departures meant losing institutional memory and established relationships with scholars and partners. Onboarding new staff during critical points of the grant cycle, delayed programming, and impacted the quality of services provided. In some cases, continuity of student mentoring, program evaluation, and communication with stakeholders was significantly hindered. Ongoing Worry of Losing Staff Members and Their Financial Stability The ongoing concern over potential job loss created a stressful and uncertain work environment. This impacted staff morale. When staff are preoccupied with their financial security and the welfare of their families, their ability to fully focus on grant implementation--particularly student development, recruitment, and event coordination--diminishes. The threat of unemployment also discouraged long-term planning and undermined efforts to build lasting relationships with students and institutional partners. Although our program was suspended, we tried to do as many activities as we could with the constraints. AAMU was severely handicapped during the Spring 2025 semester as it had to cease all activities. SCSU was able to gain financial support for two major events during the Spring 2025 Semester, in which commitments were made in Year 1. The University felt that it was important to honor these commitments as it would help to maintain relationships with new community partners. However, it was communicated by administrators that the University was not financially able to pick up the bulk of the AgriFCS Academy. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Communicating Electronically PD:34 AgriFCS Scholars participated in a session focused on effectively communicating electronically as a college student. The sessioncovered best practices for using email, engaging in virtual discussions, & maintaining professionalism in digital correspondence with professors, advisors, & potential employers. Scholars engaged in interactive activities & real-life scenarios that reinforced the importance of tone, clarity, & proper etiquette in online communication. The session aimed to strengthen their confidence and competence in navigating digital platforms essential for academic & career success.Your Future in Ag USDA Panel: 35students attended a USDA panel discussion entitled "Your Future in Ag" featuring Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Undersecretary for Research, Education, & Economics/Chief USDA Scientist, & Dr. Dionne Toombs, Associate Director for USDA/NIFA programs. The session offered insight into career pathways, current innovations, & the importance of diversity in agriculture. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists, ask questions, & learn about internship and research opportunities within USDA, inspiring them to consider impactful careers in FANH.USDA Hackathon: 15 scholarsparticipated in USDA's Hackathon, an interactive event designed to foster innovation & problem-solving in agriculture through technology. Working in teams, students tackled real-world agricultural challenges by developing creative digital solutions, including apps, data models, & system designs. The experience enhanced their skills in coding, critical thinking, & collaboration, while also exposing them to potential careers in agricultural technology & data science. Participants had the opportunity to present their solutions to USDA professionals & receive feedback, further motivating their interest in FANH.SC FCCLA Fall Leadership Meeting: 33 scholars participated in this meeting by serving as tour guides, leading a workshop session titled "Life as a College Student",& providing support to students & educators throughout the day. Their involvement helped create a welcoming & informative environment, offering valuable insights into college life while assisting with event logistics & engagement. The scholars' contributions enhanced the overall experience for attendees & demonstrated leadership & professionalism.Gambia Student Exchange PD: 23scholars attended a session titled "Gambia Student Exchange,"which emphasized the value of gaining international experience outside the US. Representatives from Gambia shared insights into the unique agricultural challenges faced in their country, including resource limitations & climate impacts. The session highlighted the benefits of cross-cultural learning & global collaboration in agriculture, inspiring scholars to consider opportunities for study abroad & international engagement in their future careers. Student Leadership Training at Jackson State University:4 scholars attended this session where they developed key leadership skills through interactive workshops & team-building activities. The training focused on enhancing communication, decision-making, & conflict resolution abilities, preparing the scholars to take on leadership roles within their organizations & communities. This experience strengthened their confidence & commitment to effective, positive leadership.North Alabama Ag Expo: 2 scholars attended a session at the North Alabama Agriculture Expo, where they explored the latest trends and innovations in agriculture. The session provided opportunities to network with industry professionals, learn about emerging technologies, & gain insights into career pathways in the agricultural sector. Their participation enhanced their knowledge & readiness for future careers in FANH.Career Talk Tuesday: 15students participated in Career Talk Tuesday with a professional who shared insights on Early Childhood Education & career growth. She emphasized empowering future educators, inspiringdiscussions on teaching, leadership, & professional development. Students had the opportunity to ask questions & gain guidance on career progression, particularly in technical education & early childhood teaching. The session provided valuable networking & mentorship opportunities for aspiring educators. The session offered networking & mentorship opportunities for aspiring professionals.Finding Credible Resources from the Miller F. Whitaker Library PD:32 students participated in a session finding credible resources. During the session, students learned effective research strategies, how to evaluate sources for reliability, & ways to utilize library databases & tools. This training enhanced their academic research skills, empowering them to confidently locate & cite trustworthy information for their coursework & projects.SCAFCS Annual Conference:32students attended the SCAFCS Annual Conference, where they participated in workshops focused on Artificial Intelligence. The sessions explored AI's applications, ethical considerations, & its impact on the profession. Students gained valuable knowledge on integrating AI technology into their future careers & academic pursuits, sparking interest in the evolving role of technology in their field.SC FCCLA State Leadership Meeting:29 scholars actively contributed to the SC FCCLA State Leadership Meeting by recruiting participants & serving as competition judges. Althoughthey were paired with two veteran judges, their involvement helped ensure a smooth & fair judging process while encouraging student engagement & leadership development. Through these roles, the scholars demonstrated professionalism, leadership, & a commitment to supporting the growth & success of fellow FCCLA members. Financial Aid Information Session PD:40 scholars participated in a session focused on Financial Aid, where they learned about the application process, types of aid available, & strategies for managing college expenses. The session provided valuable guidance on scholarships, grants, loans, and budgeting to help scholars make informed financial decisions & successfully fund their education. Resumes, LinkedIn, and Handshakes PD:40 scholars participated in a session on Resumes, LinkedIn, and Handshakes, where they learned essential skills for building a strong professional presence. The session covered resume writing tips, creating & optimizing LinkedIn profiles, & mastering effective networking and handshake techniques. Scholars gained practical tools to enhance their job search, make meaningful connections, & confidently present themselves to potential employers. National Retail Federation (NRF):1student was selected as a Student Ambassador for NRF. She representedAAMU while promoting career opportunities in the retail industry. In this leadership role, the student engaged with peers, shared information about NRF programs and scholarships, & connected students with industry professionals. Their involvement helped raise awareness of the dynamic careers available in retail & demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth and leadership.ALAFCS Annual Conference:10 scholars attended the ALAFCS Annual Conference. Scholars attended sessions focused on the following topics: innovative teaching strategies; best practices & emerging trends in food science, health management, & wellness; strategies for effective instruction & curriculum development; research & insights into family relations & child development; creative activities showcasing textile art, apparel design, & sustainable housing practices; discussions on financial literacy, planning, & economic sustainability; & career development & networking. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentation at the Education and Business Summit:24 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "Introducing the AgriFCS Academy." This presentation allowed educators to be introduced to the AgriFCS Academy and plans for the 2024-2025 academic year.When asked, "What new topic(s) did you learn as a result of attending this presentation?", the following responsewasgiven: "What these programs can offer and how they connect middle school to future educational opportunities."As a result of this presentation, 15 educators requested to receive additional information and to be kept up to date with AgriFCS Academy events.ACTE CareerTech Vision:21 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "The AgriFCS Academy." This presentation allowed educators to be introduced to the AgriFCS Academy, reviewselected activities that had been completed during the Fall 2024 semester.? When asked, "What new topic(s) did you learn as a result of attending this presentation?" the following responses were given: "I came because I saw Ag in the title, but I learned what FCS stands for. It's interesting that they bridge these two different things together." "Learned new connections and activities I can implement with my students in my state to pull them into this pipeline." "Importance of including university students in recruiting events." "Combining Agriculture & FACS on a collegiate level." Additional comments were also given by the attendees: "Thankyou would like to see what we can do in a middle school to support ag." "Wish we could get funding to do this in secondary!" As a result of this presentation, 10 educators requested to be added to the email list to be kept up-to-date of future activities with the AgriFCS Academy.SCAFCSAnnual Conference:30 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "AI in the Classroom & Beyond: Engaging Strategies and Real Life Uses." This presentation was designed as a professional development opportunity for educators to become more comfortable using AI in their classrooms and everyday life. When asked,"Please provide any additional feedback that you would like to share with the presenter," selected responses were as follows: ?"Amazing! You are incredible thank you for all you do. Presentation had new information and great interaction. Loved the stories." "I can use all the information you presented. Thanks for the student's perspective." "Dr. Johnson was awesome! I love that she gave so many specific ideas for using AI in the classroom & in everyday life."The impact of this presentation was that a majority of educators were willing to try new AI features in their classroom and/or everyday life. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To recruit, retain, train, support, and graduate 120 middle and high school students for post-secondary education to complete academic programs aligned with food, agriculture, natural science, and human sciences (FANH). Continue to partner with local schools and community organizations. Hold the monthly AgriFCS Friday & Roadshow Sessions. We were not able to hold these events based on the suspension of the grant during the Spring 2025 Semester. Start earlier in recruiting for the Summer Leadership Academy. Due to the suspension of the grant, we got a late start in recruiting, and a majority of schools were wrapping up the school year. Recruitment will need to start in January. May consider reaching out to high school chemistry and biology educators so they can see the connection to FANH. Possibility of having a Career Fair on campus. Many students (middle, high, and college) are not aware of all of the career opportunities in FANH. Ensure that the mentors of the mentor programs are connecting with their mentees at least once a week. Consider participating in middle school career fairs. To develop and retain collaborative relationships with educators and parents to encourage engagement in the recruitment of middle and high school students. Continue to work with members of the AgriFCS Advisory Council. Provide the AgriFCS Advisory Council members with monthly updates on the progression of the AgriFCS Academy. Finalize MOAs for the Dual Enrollment program. Begin the 1st cohort for the Dual Enrollment program. Ensure that AgriFCS staff are connecting with the parents of the mentor program at least once a week. Become acquainted with the new Program Leader at the State Department of Education. To establish certification programs for undergraduate students that will address FANH specializations. Begin to certify undergraduate students in ServSafe earlier. There may be scheduling conflicts as students begin to progress through their academic programs.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
William J. Clark Middle School:The AgriFCS Academy hosted a recruitment event at William J. Clark Middle School to identify student and parent participants for its Mentor Program. During the event, representatives from the Academy engaged with 16 middle school students and 16 parents, sharing information about the goals of the Mentor Program and the exciting opportunities available in FANH. Through interactive discussions and informative presentations, both students and parents expressed strong interest in the program. As a result, all 16 students and their parents were selected to participate in the Mentor Program, marking a significant step in building early awareness and engagement in FANH career pathways.Recruitment in Atlanta, GA:The Program Manager participated in a recruitment event alongside the Office of Admissions, targeting a cluster of high schools in Atlanta, GA. During the event, the Program Manager engaged with 20 high school students, providing an overview of South Carolina State University and promoting opportunities within the College of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences. Eight students expressed strong interest in learning more about careers in Food, FANH, as well as the academic programs offered through the college. Follow-up materials and contact information were shared to support their continued exploration of FANH pathways.Career Fair at North Augusta Community Center:The Program Manager, along with two AgriFCS Scholars, attended a Career Fair at the North Augusta Community Center in North Augusta, SC, to promote careers in FANH. During the event, they engaged with 25 high school students, sharing insights about career opportunities in FANH and academic programs available through the College of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences at South Carolina State University. Five students expressed a strong interest in receiving additional information and resources to explore these career paths and academic offerings further. The event was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and inspire future interest in FANH.Barnwell County Career Center:The Administrative Assistant and two AgriFCS Scholars attended a recruitment event at the Barnwell County Career Center in Barnwell, SC. One of the Scholars was a recent graduate from the area, and the Administrative Assistant is also originally from Barnwell, which helped establish a strong connection with the students. Together, they engaged with 114 high school students, sharing information about careers in FANHas well as academic programs offered through the College of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences at South Carolina State University. 12students expressed interest in receiving additional information to further explore FANH-related career paths and educational opportunities. The local ties and personal stories shared during the event helped make a meaningful impact on the students. Presentation at the Education and Business Summit:24 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "Introducing the AgriFCS Academy." This presentation allowed educators to be introduced to the AgriFCS Academy and plans for the 2024-2025 academic year.When asked, "What new topic(s) did you learn as a result of attending this presentation?", the following responsewasgiven: "What these programs can offer and how they connect middle school to future educational opportunities."As a result of this presentation, 15 educators requested to receive additional information and to be kept up to date with AgriFCS Academy events.AgriFCS Advisory Council: Invitations were sent to 24 FANH professionals to become members of the AgriFCS Advisory Council at SCSU. 12professionals were able to participate in the Fall AgriFCS AdvisoryCouncil Meeting, and 6 were able to participate in the Spring Meeting. As a result of the meetings, AgriFCS Scholars were allowed to complete experiential learning experiences and participate in professional conferences.SC FCCLA Fall Leadership Meeting: As a result of working with an AgriFCS Advisory Council member, SCSU was allowed to host SC FCCLA's Fall Leadership meeting. This gave the AgriFCS Academy the opportunity to work with 16 educators.When asked "What was/were your favorite experiences or moments about this year's SC FCCLA Fall Leadership Meeting?", the following response was given:??"I loved that we were at a university! It was a great selling point for students and parents."ACTE CareerTech Vision:21 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "The AgriFCS Academy." This presentation allowed educators to be introduced to the AgriFCS Academy, reviewselected activities that had been completed during the Fall 2024 semester.? When asked, "What new topic(s) did you learn as a result of attending this presentation?" the following responses were given: "I came because I saw Ag in the title, but I learned what FCS stands for. It's interesting that they bridge these two different things together." "Learned new connections and activities I can implement with my students in my state to pull them into this pipeline." "Importance of including university students in recruiting events." "Combining Agriculture & FACS on a collegiate level." Additional comments were also given by the attendees: "Thankyou would like to see what we can do in a middle school to support ag." "Wish we could get funding to do this in secondary!" As a result of this presentation, 10 educators requested to be added to the email list to be kept up-to-date of future activities with the AgriFCS Academy.SCAFCSAnnual Conference:30 educators attended the Program Manager's presentation entitled "AI in the Classroom & Beyond: Engaging Strategies and Real Life Uses." This presentation was designed as a professional development opportunity for educators to become more comfortable using AI in their classrooms and everyday life. When asked,"Please provide any additional feedback that you would like to share with the presenter," selected responses were as follows: ?"Amazing! You are incredible thank you for all you do. Presentation had new information and great interaction. Loved the stories." "I can use all the information you presented. Thanks for the student's perspective." "Dr. Johnson was awesome! I love that she gave so many specific ideas for using AI in the classroom & in everyday life."The impact of this presentation was that a majority of educators were willing to try new AI features in their classroom and/or everyday life.Mentor Program:The Middle School and Parent Mentor Program was able to be established at SC State. The Mentor Program met with parents and middle school students monthly. Students attended sessions on the following: AgriFCS Academy Meet and Greet; Re-Drawing Your Circle: From Middle School to College; Agriculture in our Community & Meet Your Mentor; One-on-One With Your Mentor; and End-of-Year Program. Parents attended sessions on the following topics: AgriFCS Academy Meet and Greet; Understanding Generation Z: Guiding Our Children to Success; Agriculture in our Community; The Transition to High School; and End-of-Year Program. The impact of this mentor program allowed middle school students to understand the importance of the decisions they'll make as they enter high school from an academic and social perspective. Parents stated that they were given more insight into their children and why they should consider a career in FANH. All students and parents indicated that they would like to continue with the mentor program in Year 3. ServSafe Certification:5 students completed courses to become certified as ServSafe Food Handlers and Managers. 4 of the 5 students passed the certification tests and are now certified Food Handlers and Managers. This will be an additional credential to the degrees they will earn, which will make them more marketable.
Publications
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Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Year One was a planning year in which we set up our project for the AgriFCS Scholars that will arrive on campus in Year Two. To recruit students to South Carolina State University (SCSU) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU), each school respectively outlined an initial target audience based on the demographics of their state. At SCSU, the initial target audience was high school students, high school counselors, high school agriculture teachers, high school family and consumer sciences teachers, and middle school counselors. During the project's progression at SCSU, it was discovered that it was necessary to contact administrators and educational professionals such as Principals, Career Specialists, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Directors, and Administrative Assistants when the initial target audience could not be reached. CTE Directors were crucial because many agriculture and family & consumer sciences teachers work at CTE centers instead of the traditional high school. A special effort was made to recruit high school students from the South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe. This particular school was targeted at high school students who will prepare for careers in agriculture. Students receive hands-on training in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, land management, and food science. A heavy emphasis is placed on assessing the needs of modern farms. The Office of Admissions at SCSU played an integral role in targeting students outside of South Carolina. As a result, high school students were also targeted from Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and California. Extension and outreach activities included the distribution of flyers outlining the scholarship and academic requirements; and formal and informal presentations at selected middle schools, high schools, career centers, the university, and professional organizations that were FANH-aligned. At AAMU, the audience(s) reached included high school students, middle school students, parents, FCS educators, Career Tech teachers, guidance counselors, research administrators, high school teachers, extension educators, university faculty, staff, and administrators. The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in Chicago, Illinois,and Selma City Schools System in Selma, Alabama were sent handbills regarding the AgriFCS Scholarship Academy. Establishing relationships at these two schools specifically was important as numerous activities will be planned throughout the project. Lastly, a relationship with Alabama A&M University's Office of Admission was established and they shared their AgriFCS handbills with them to share with students. They receivedupdates from incoming students for the Fall 2024 semester who will be majoring in a concentration Apparel, Merchandising and Design; Human Development and Family Studies; or Nutrition and Hospitality Management.Extension and outreach activities included the distribution of handbillsoutlining the scholarship and academic requirements; and formal and informal presentations at the university and professional organizations that were FANH-aligned. Changes/Problems:The following listed below are changes/problems that we encountered in Year Oneof this project: Set up of Accounts for the Project Director: Because this was the Project Director's first grant with the University, a significant amount of time was needed to establish brand-new accounts. In addition, there were University policies and training that the Project Director was mandated to complete for the accounts to be established. This caused a significant delay in agreements being established between the lead and partnering University. In addition, expenditures needed for travel for AAMU could not be recouped due to the delay in the budget setup. Recruitment of AgriFCS Scholars: There were challenges in recruiting the 120 students for this project (i.e. 60 AgriFCS Scholars at SCSU and 60 AgriFCS Scholars at AAMU). At SCSU, students were awarded the AgriFCS Scholarship, but declined due to one of the following: Changed their major that did not abide by the terms and conditions Received a full scholarship to another institution Decided not to attend SCSU Due to another scholarship the student earned at SCSU which covered all costs, they were informed that they could not accept the AgriFCS Scholarship This caused the number to fluctuate and to constantly contact students who submitted incomplete applications to finish their applications. At AAMU, a majority of students who were recruited and have committed to the University are from out-of-state. In addition, AAMU implemented an increase in tuition for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. As with most universities, out-of-state students' tuition is significantly higher than in-state students. The Project Director and Co-Project Director have discussed if $5,000 per year will be enough to help alleviate costs. Personnel Issues: In Year One for both institutions, there were personnel issues that had a direct effect on the rate of expenditures and the project schedule. At SCSU, the Program Manager could not start until September 2023 and the Administrative Assistant could not begin until November 2023. Unfortunately, the Administrative Assistant resigned from her position at the end of January 2024. A majority of the activities that were to be handled by the Administrative Assistant were split between the Project Director and the Program Manager during the Spring 2024 Semester. In addition, the Project Director suffered significant health issues from December 2023 - February 2024 which caused a significant deviation from the project schedule. At AAMU, only a certain percentage for clerical could be used based on the University's payroll policy. This was problematic in ensuring that this employee was appropriately compensated for their work. The Co-Project Director plans to have discussions with University officials to see what avenues can be taken. In addition to the clerical issue, there was also a change in administration in relation to the project. Fiscal Year Differences: The Project Director and Co-Project Director discussed the varying dates that have affected the project. According to the Award Face Sheet from USDA-NIFA the period of performance is 06/01/2023 through 05/31/2028. However, the budget proposal that was submitted to each University for Year 1 was 09/01/2023 - 08/31/2024. In addition, it was also discovered that each University is working on two different fiscal year cycles. In Year One, SCSU's fiscal year was from 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2024. However, AAMU's fiscal year runs from 10/01/2023 - 09/30/2024 in Year One. The varying years of each University's fiscal year will have an impact on the financial reports that are required to be reported. Summer Work Schedule: Although the Project Director and Co-Project Director are obligated to work during the summer, it was discovered that the work schedules are different. At SCSU, the Project Director is on a Summer Flex, Four-day Work Week. At AAMU, the Co-Project Director is on a Monday-Thursday schedule in which the University is officially closed on Fridays. This has caused a bit of a challenge in planning for joint meetings and activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 4 undergraduate student ambassadors and 8 faculty members attended and participated in an on-campus recruitment event for undeclared majors in the library at AAMU on September 19, 2023. An exhibition table was made to showcase programs in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Natural Sciences. The staff member was able to meet with 10 undergraduate students. The student ambassadors enhanced their public speaking and marketing skills by communicating with potential students. Potential students learned about the FANH-related academic programs within the college which included Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Family & Consumer Sciences; Food and Animal Sciences; and Biological Sciences. Of the 10 undergraduate students who visited the exhibition table, each indicated that they were not aware that these programs existed at the University. The students indicated that they were considering declaring one of the program areas as their major. They appreciated the setup in which they were able to hold an extensive conversation with the staff member one-on-one. 4 undergraduate student ambassadorsand 8 faculty members attended and participated in an on-campus recruitment event for undeclared majors during Agriculture Week at AAMU on October 11, 2023. An exhibition table was made to showcase programs in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Natural Sciences. The staff member was able to meet with undergraduate students who passed through the area. The student ambassadors enhanced their public speaking and marketing skills by communicating with potential students. Potential students learned about the FANH-related academic programs within the college which included Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Family & Consumer Sciences; Food and Animal Sciences; and Biological Sciences. Of the students who visited the exhibition table, 13 undergraduate students decided to change their major to one of the following: Apparel, Merchandising and Design; Nutrition and Hospitality Management; and Human Development and Family Studies. 4 undergraduate student ambassadorsand 8 faculty members attended and participated in Fall High School Seniors Day at AAMU on November 4, 2023.An exhibition table was made to showcase programs in the College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences. The staff member was able to share information with 200 high school students interested in Family and Consumer Sciences programs. The student ambassadors enhanced their public speaking and marketing skills by communicating with potential high school students. Potential students learned were not aware of the Food and Human Sciences related programs offered at AAMU. Of the 200 high school students who attended, 67 signed up for additional information on the academic programs available and the AgriFCS Academy using the recruitment QR code. Follow-up correspondence was made to each student. 4 undergraduate students and 2 staff members attended and participated in recruitment efforts South Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference in Columbia, South Carolina February 21-23, 2024. Students and staff members shared information on academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences at SCSU, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. Students learned the importance of being actively involved with professional organizations as working professionals. Students were able to network with 55 human sciences educators, professionals, and retirees. This was the first time that all 4 students had attended this professional conference and they were able to participate in 11 professional development sessions. One student stated that even though professional organizations are talked a lot about in his classes, he now sees the importance of being a member and actively involved as a college student. Students were able to build their networks with professionals currently in the field. In addition, the president of the association indicated that she would be interested and is open to starting a mentor program to assist students at SCSU. The AgriFCS Academy at AAMU worked in collaboration with the Career Development Center to host the Disney College Internship Program presentation on March 8, 2024. Students learned about the importance of earning and participating in an internship for career development. 35 undergraduate students learned of internship FANH opportunities in areas such as administration, asset management, project management, human resources, graphic design, marketing and digital media, quality assurance, data science and analytics, research and development, sciences and animal programs, culinary, food and beverage, and supply chain management. The undergraduate students who attended this event were not aware of the numerous opportunities that were available through the Disney College Internship Program. In addition, they learned that this internship had transferrable skills that could be applied to positions with USDA. 3 undergraduate students and 6 faculty members attended and participated in recruitment efforts at the Alabama Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference in Montevallo, Alabama April 11, 2024. Two undergraduate students shared information at the recruitment table and two undergraduate students did an oral research poster presentation. The career development event allowed students to enhance their leadership, networking, and public speaking skills. In addition, students were able to interact with other undergraduate students from Jackson State University and the University of Montevallo. This was the first time that all 3 undergraduate students had attended this professional conference. One student ran for a student leadership position within the organization. She stated that this caused her to come out of her shell, and she is looking forward to working with the other elected student members from Jackson State University and the University of Montevallo. The two undergraduate students who participated in the oral research poster presentation indicated that they felt more prepared to present at the national conference in June. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 1 staff member made a formal presentation during the Opening Sessionat the South Carolina Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference in North Charleston, South Carolina February 5-6, 2024. This presentation was made to125 high school students and 25 educators. Many high school students and educators did not realize how SCSU could help prepare students for careers in FANH. When asked, "What new topics did you learn as a result of attending this presentation," many reported the different programs at SCSU, the scholarships available, and the agribusiness major (many students and educators did not know we offered this program). One educator stated she brought a lot of freshmen to this event, and it was good for them to hear about the college. She recommended that if we return next year, there could be a breakout session for seniors. 2 staff members attended Heyward Career Center in Columbia, South Carolina on March 11, 2024, and made a formal recruitment presentation. Staff members shared information on academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences at SCSU, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. Staff members were able to share how careers in FANH could be pursued at SCSU through the AgriFCS Academy. A formal presentation was made to 25 high school students, 2 educators, and 2 school counselors. This visit and presentation increased high school students and educator knowledge of FANH careers and promoted awareness of FANH degrees at SCSU. Students shared that they learned about the programs offered at SCSU and the scholarship program. As a result, 11 students indicated that they wanted additional information about SCSU and the AgriFCS Academy. 2 students shared that they would be applying to attend SCSU and the AgriFCS Academy scholarship. 1 staff member attended South Aiken High in Aiken, South Carolina on April 17, 2024, and shared information on academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences at SCSU, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. The staff member was able to share how careers in FANH could be pursued at SCSU through the AgriFCS Academy. A formal presentation was made to 44 high school students and 2 educators. The staff member was unaware that a robust program related to FANH was at this particular high school. As a result of this visit, 21 high school students wanted to learn more information about 1 of the 5 FANH-related academic programs offered at SCSU. When asked "What new topic(s) did you learn as a result of attending this presentation?", students reported the following: "Everything, I was not knowledgeable about any of the subjects." "The scholarships and new degree options that I hadn't thought about." "Information on agriculture." "I learned all about new, different programs." 1 staff member attended Ridge-Spring Monetta Middle/High School in Ridge Spring, South Carolina on April 24, 2024, and shared information on academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences at SCSU, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. The staff member was able to set up an informational table during the lunch period on how careers in FANH could be pursued at SCSU through the AgriFCS Academy. 3 high school students and 4 middle school students stopped by to receive additional information. As a result of this visit, 3 high school students and 4 middle school students were introduced to FANH-related careers and how they can be pursued at SCSU. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the next reporting period, to accomplish the goals and objectives the following measures will be taken: For the goals that were not met in Year One, they will be accomplished in June 2024 and July 2024. These goals were based on Quarter 3 and Quarter 4. The Project Director suffered significant health issues from December 2023 - February 2024. This caused a significant deviation in the activities that were to be accomplished. Joint meetings will be held once a week between the partnering institutions as opposed to every other week OR on an as needed basis. Due to the varying fiscal calendars between SCSU and AAMU, it will be requested that a listing of expenditures be sent on the 15th and the last day of the month as opposed to just once a month. All paperwork for personnel associated with the grant will be completed by June 30, 2024, for the 2024-2025 academic year. The paperwork and required signatures for AAMU Subagreement for Year 3 will be completed by December 31, 2024.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal #1:Recruit, train, support, and graduate 120 middle school and high school students for post-secondary education to complete academic programs aligned with food, agriculture and natural sciences, and human sciences (FANH). 5 undergraduate students and 5 staff members participated in an on-campus recruitment event at SCSU on March 22, 2024. S.T.A.R.R. Day allowed students and staff members to share information about the Nutrition and Food Management (NFM) program at SCSU, careers in food, and the AgriFCS Academy at SCSU. Students and staff members interacted with 47 high school students and 5 educators. High school students who were in attendance were unaware that SCSU had an NFM program. They learned about nutrition careers from speakers in the following areas: food service management, pediatrics, entrepreneurship, and clinical. Breakout sessions allowed studentsto participate in the nutrition areas that they wanted to learn more information about. Students shared that they learned the following: "I learned about what a dietitian does." "They were so descriptive of what they do and tell us how to succeed in the field." "I learned that we all need food management in life." When asked "After participating in S.T.A.R.R. Day 2024, how likely are you to pursue a career in Nutrition?", 5 high school students indicated that they were very likely and 3 high school students indicated that they were likely. 2 undergraduate students and 2 staff members participated in an on-campus recruitment event at SCSU on April 13, 2024. Information was shared on academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) at SCSU, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. Students and staff members interacted with 38 high school students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) about FANH career paths that could be obtained by attending SCSU. The students who visited the informational table were unaware that the CAFCS was established at SCSU and that a scholarship opportunity was available.One high school student stated that their school counselor shared the scholarship information, but attending this event provided her with more details. She indicated that she would be applying. 2 staff members participated in an on-campus recruitment event at SCSU on May 17, 2024. Bulldog Ready was an orientation session for students accepted to SCSU. Staff members shared information on academic programs, careers in FANH, and the AgriFCS Academy. 14 incoming freshmen stopped by the table to receive information. As a result of participating in this event, two incoming freshmen were undecided on a major but were considering majoring in a program in the CAFCS at SCSU. 3 incoming freshmen who had accepted the AgriFCS Academy Scholarship introduced themselves and indicated their excitement about coming to SCSU and being a part of the scholarship program. 4 undergraduate student ambassadors and 8 faculty members participated in the College of Agriculture, Life and Natural Sciences (CALNS) Recruitment Day on the Quad at AAMU on April 2, 2024. An exhibition table was made to showcase academic programs. The staff member was able to meet with 15 undergraduate students. The student ambassadors enhanced their public speaking and marketing skills by communicating with potential students. Potential students learned about the FANH-related academic programs within the college which included Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Family & Consumer Sciences; Food and Animal Sciences; and Biological Sciences. Of the 15 undergraduate students who visited the exhibition table, 5 undergraduate students changed their major to a program area in the CALNS. 8 faculty members and 4 student ambassadors participated in the Soaring Sophomores Recruitment event at AAMU on April 11, 2024. An exhibition table was made to showcase programs. The staff member was able to meet with 38 undergraduate students. The student ambassadors enhanced their public speaking and marketing skills by communicating with potential students. Potential students learned about the FANH-related academic programs. Of the 38 undergraduate students who visited the exhibition table, 10 undergraduate students changed their major to a program area in the CALNS. The collective efforts of SCSU and AAMU have resulted in the recruitment of 79 high school students who have committed to begin their post-secondary education to complete academic programs aligned with FANH. Both Universities are impacted by the work of this project in that there is a significant increase in student enrollment for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. Goal #2:Develop and retain collaborative relationships with educators and parents to encourage engagement in the recruitment of middle and high school students. The Project Director at SCSU thought it would be advantageous to create a database of all high school counselors in the state of South Carolina. As the Project Director and Project Manager worked on the development of this database, they realized that when they could not easily access the contact information of school counselors, an alternate educator needed to be listed. This resulted in the database including educational professionals such as career specialists, CTE directors, CTE teachers, and principals. This allowed SCSU to contact 221 high schools and 50 CTE Centers which resulted in 1,152 new contacts. These educational professionals were very excited about the opportunity that their students could take advantage of. We were extended invitations from one CTE Center and three high schools to set up an informational table or make a formal presentation to their high school students. SCSU was able to give presentations at 4 schools. The development of this database will be very helpful in Year 2 with the implementation of outreach activities. The development of the high school counselor database also led to the development of a Tri-County Middle School Counselor Database. This database focuses on middle schools that are located in the three counties closest to SCSU which were Orangeburg, Calhoun, and Bamberg Counties. This database will be used to recruit upcoming 8th graders and their parents to the Middle School Parent Mentor Program. AAMU developed & strengthened collaborative relationships with Selma City Schools, Huntsville City Schools, AAMU's Recruitment Office, and AAMU's Housing through the Office of Campus Life, parents, and alumni. The relationship established with Selma City Schools and Huntsville City School led to the development of a Memorandum of Understandings that is in progress and being finalized with securing Internship Experiences for incoming AgriFCS Scholars and establishing the Dual Enrollment program for high school students to earn college credit at AAMU. Goal #3:Establish certification programs for undergraduate students that will address FANH specializations. At SCSU, training materials were ordered for the Program Manager and two faculty members to complete the ServSafe Manager Online Course and Exam to become certified to serve as an Instructor and Proctor in Year Two. Once the Program Manager and two faculty members complete the online course, pass the exam, and become certified, they will be able to offer ServSafe courses at SCSU for individuals to earn their certification. In addition, they will also be able to serve as Proctors for the exam. This will not only allow the AgriFCS scholars to earn a degree in a FANH-related discipline, but they will also earn a certification which will make them more marketable when seeking internships and employment. At AAMU, Consultants have been identified and retained for the certification in Nutrition and Hospitality, ServSafe, and other relevant certifications for development in Year Two. With the development and implementation of the new certification programs, AgriFCS Scholars at AAMU will also be more marketable by earning a degree and certification.
Publications
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