Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
There is currently a nationwide shortage of students who are pursuing careers in Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH). This is due to many factors that include, but are not limited to, a misconception of FANH careers only including farming and ranching; a decrease in academic programs offered in high schools, colleges, and universities; and the belief that salaries are extremely low. In addition, there is a lack of diversity as the profession is dominated by older, white, males. Even though trends indicate that there will be a high demand and need for individuals to work in this sector, individuals who are currently eligible to retire will have no one to replace them. The supply of individuals currently pursuing studies in FANH is not meeting the demand for employment.This project will develop an academy at South Carolina State University (SCSU) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU) to expose approximately 40 middle school students, 400 high school students, and 45-90 minority, undergraduate students to pursue careers in FANH and the USDA. The academy will consist of an on-campus and regional recruitment program for middle and high school students; the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit in FANH-related courses; a college scholarship program; professional development workshops for high school educators; a middle school/parent mentorship program; a summer program for high school students; and certification programs for undergraduate students. The goal is to establish a direct pipeline to employment opportunities in FANH and the USDA from SCSU and AAMU. If this goal is met, a minimum of 485 students will know and/or actively pursue careers in FANH and the USDA. This project may help to meet the current demand and fill numerous vacancies in FANH and the USDA.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
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 and natural science, and human sciences (FANH).To develop and retain collaborative relationships with educators and parents to encourage engagement in the recruitment of middle and high school students.To establish certification programs for undergraduate students that will address FANH specializations.
Project Methods
The methods that will be used are as follows:AgriFCS First Fridays and RoadshowHow this will be conducted: A list of middle and high schools in SC and AL will be developed that will highlight the schools that will be the focus for each year of the grant. In addition, a plan will be developed to determine which schools are able to bring students to campus face-to-face and which schools would benefit from a regional roadshow. Fridays in which the program will be held will also be selected. The on-campus event and roadshow will inform middle school and high school students of FANH-related programs at each institution; career opportunities in FANH and the USDA; admissions processes; campus life; and scholarship opportunities.Efforts: This event will be in the form of an informal educational program. Workshops & interactive presentations will be used for students to learn how SCSU/AAMU can prepare them for a career at the USDA and FANH. Students will be encouraged to use the hashtags #AgriFCS, #USDA, and #NIFA to capture their feelings about the event and what they've learned in real-time.Evaluation: Participants will be required to pre-register for this event. A sign-in sheet will be used on the day of the event and cross-checked with the pre-registration. Pre-and post-surveys will be distributed to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered at the event. Post-event surveys will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness and influence of the event.Dual Enrollment ProgramHow this will be conducted: School Districts and High School Administrators will be contacted to determine interest in allowing their students to participate in the program. MOAs will be established with districts and/or administrators. Students will register for the course they would like to take the summer before the start of the academic year. Students will have the option to take the course on campus or virtually.Efforts: This initiative will be in the form of formal classroom instruction. Students will gain knowledge in FANH-related content on the collegiate level. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete an experiential learning opportunity in the class(es) in which they are enrolled.Evaluation: Pre-and post-tests will be given to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered in the course. Midterm and final grades will be evaluated to determine progression in the course. A course evaluation will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness of the program.AgriFCS Scholarship ProgramHow this will be conducted: Students will complete an application to receive a scholarship. Recipients will be notified and participate in an Orientation Session to review the requirements of the scholarship prior to the start of the academic year. During the academic year, recipients will attend monthly meetings that will prepare them for careers in USDA and FANH after graduation. They will be assigned an advisor that will work with them through the matriculation of their program.Efforts: Recipients will receive a formal education in the form of a degree; complete an internship to gain experiential learning experience; participate in a service-learning project; travel to USDA Headquarters in Washington DC and other FANH related sites; participate in workshops to improve their professional development; and participate and present their experiences in the program at local and state conferences.?Evaluation: Attendance will be taken at each event associated with the program. Midterm and Final Grades will be evaluated to assist with the progression of recipients' degree programs. Pre-and post-event surveys will be used to analyze each event and the overall effectiveness and influence of the scholarship program. Student-developed presentations and portfolios will be evaluated to determine knowledge learned.PD for Professional EducatorsHow this will be conducted: Educators will be surveyed on their PD needs. The survey results will be evaluated to determine PD sessions that need to be planned for the upcoming year. PD sessions will be held virtually and face-to-face during the academic year. Paperwork will be submitted to state education agencies to ensure that participants receive credit for certification renewal.Efforts: This initiative will be in the form of workshops. Educators will gain knowledge of current trends in FANH and how to encourage students to pursue careers in this field and USDA. They will also learn best practices in teaching FANH-related content.Evaluation: Attendance will be taken at each workshop. Pre-and post-surveys will be distributed to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered. Post-event surveys will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness and influence of the workshop.Middle School/Parent Mentorship ProgramHow this will be conducted: Middle school students and their parents will apply to be in the mentor program. Participants will be required to sign forms outlining the expectations of their participation in the program. Participants will meet monthly to learn about careers in FANH and USDA. In addition, they will hear from guest speakers currently working within the field. Meetings will also highlight how to prepare for college.Efforts: This initiative will be in the form of a mentor program. In addition, participants will gain experiential learning experience by participating in a weeklong summer program on the campuses of SCSU and AAMU.Evaluation: Attendance will be taken at each event. Pre-and post-surveys will be distributed to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered. Post-event surveys will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness and influence of the program.Summer Academy for Future Leaders of Agriculture, Family and Consumer SciencesHow this will be conducted: High school students will complete an application to attend a one-week residential collegiate experience. At the Summer Academy, student activities will be developed for the week in which participants will learn the following: FANH degree opportunities, admissions requirements, and scholarship opportunities at SCSU and AAMU; career opportunities with USDA; and trips to local and neighboring FANH agencies. Participants will be required to sign an agreement outlining in detail the roles, responsibilities, and expectations for participating in this program. Efforts: This initiative will be in the form of a summer program. Participants will attend workshops and will participate in an experiential learning experience.Evaluation: Attendance will be taken at each event. Pre-and post-surveys will be distributed to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered. Post-event surveys will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness and influence of the summer program.Certification ProgramsHow this will be conducted: Students will be actively recruited to participate in and complete the certification programs at SCSU (ServSafe) and/or AAMU (Hospitality and Tourism Management). Students will be assisted with enrolling in these programs and will be given a schedule of when courses will be offered. At SCSU, faculty members will be trained as ServSafe instructors and exam proctors. Students will complete the ServSafe training and examination on campus. At AAMU, courses will be developed for the Certificate of Hospitality and Tourism Management and will be approved by the University Standards Committee.Efforts: This initiative will be in the form of formal classroom instruction. Students will gain professional certification in ServSafe (SCSU) and Hospitality and Tourism Management (AAMU).Evaluation: Attendance will be taken at each class. Pre-and post-surveys will be distributed to analyze their knowledge of topics that will be covered. Exams results will be analyzed for credentialing. Post-event surveys will be used to analyze the overall effectiveness of the certification program.