Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** with support from the USDA/nifa…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** with support from the USDA/nifa hispanic-serving institutions (HSI) education grant program, adams state university, colorado's premiere HSI, will build its capacity to develop a skilled workforce in food and agriculture to meet the growing agricultural industry needs of southern colorado's SAN luis valley (SLV), which struggles with low educational attainment, high poverty rates, and inequities in workforce development. Approximately 46% of the SLV population is hispanic. Adams state will expand its enrollments, increase retention and graduation rates, and advance equity in education in 3 food and agriculture bachelor degree programs: business administration (agribusiness emphasis), general agriculture (agricultural business or agricultural biology emphasis), and food studies. Aligned with the 4 HSI education goals, the project focuses on the educational need areas of student experiential learning and student recruitment and retention to attract and support diverse undergraduate students in these degree areas. An innovative paid internship program, with an evidence-based structure, and industry partners will provide vital work-based learning experiences and develop students' essential employment skills. Regional recruitment and retention strategies, including a student-led conference, an annual scholarship, and mentoring will reduce barriers for underrepresented studentsand promote leadership and their preparation for public and private sector careers.project objectives focus on increasing combined degree enrollments to 50 students over 4 years, with at least 23 students (46%) from underrepresented groups, and increasing first-time full-time retention rates of underrepresented students to at least 62%. Quantitative data will be collected via institutional review of student enrollments, retention, and graduation dataeach year. In addition, annual surveys and focus groups among students, project staff, and employers/community stakeholders will produce quantitative and qualitative data to document progress, inform program improvement, and support continuation. Student and faculty presentations at conferences attended by HSI educators and students, and regional agricultural conferences, will share project findings on the effectiveness of the outreach/ recruitment and retention strategies implemented by ASU towards increasing the enrollment and success rates of hispanic and other students underrepresented in fanh disciplines. By building adams state's capacity to develop and maintain an enhanced recruitment and retention program in agriculture and food studies, USDA/nifa support will strengthen adams state's network of relationships with educational and industry partnersto grow a skilled workforce in response to local industry needs and to retaintalent and young people in rewarding employment and careersacross this remote, rural region.