Project Grant 20243843042673

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE 1890 SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY (KSU) TO OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS PURSUINGDEGREES IN AGRICULTURE-RELATED FIELDS, INCREASING STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION IN THESE AREAS. KSU HAS A RANGE OF AGRICULTURECOURSES (INCLUDING PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE) TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN PLANT AND ANIMAL SCIENCE, HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, GLOBALAGRICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES, AND PRACTICUMS, AS WELL AS THE AREAS OF FOOD AND FIBER, AGRICULTURAL, RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES,FORESTRY, AND FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES. THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO: 1. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ATTAIN BACCALAUREATEDEGREES IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND RELATED FIELDS AT KSU BY OFFERING SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES; AND 2. SUPPORTTHESE SCHOLARS IN THEIR INTENTION TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND RELATED FIELDS TO MEET THE NEED FOR AHIGHLY SKILLED FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS WORKFORCE. A DETAILED RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO OFFERCOMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS, AS WELL AS A MENTORING PROGRAM WITH FACULTY AND STUDENT PROFESSIONAL GROUPS IN AGRICULTURE. STUDENTSWILL PARTICIPATE IN A RANGE OF PRACTICUMS, INTERNSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. A REPORTING AND EVALUATIONPLAN, WITH THE HELP OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WILL ASSIST THE SELECTION COMMITTEE IN AWARDING AND TRACKING OF STUDENTS, AS WELL ASPROVIDE LONGITUDINAL TRACKING AT A CAREER LEVEL TO ENSURE STUDENTS ARE BEING TRAINED, RETAINED, GRADUATING, AND ENTERING THEAGRICULTURAL CAREERS.