** 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 ANIMAL SCIENCE SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (ASSURE) PROGRAM IS AN EXPERIENTIAL INITIATIVE THAT WILL PROVIDE ANIMAL SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON RESEARCH EXPERIENCES, A DETAILED EDUCATION ON LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION PRACTICES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED MENTORSHIP AND CAREER GUIDANCE TO STRENGTHEN US ANIMAL PRODUCTION. OUR ASSURE PROGRAM, WHICH WILL TARGET AND RECRUIT SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS THAT ARE UNDER-RESOURCED (I.E., UNDERREPRESENTED, DISABLED, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, RURAL AND FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS), HAS THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES: (1) TO CREATE AN INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN APPLIED AND FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH, (2) TO DEVELOP AND REFINE ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE SKILLS AND ENHANCE FUTURE EMPLOYMENT, AND (3) TO STRENGTHEN AND ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN FOOD ANIMAL-RELATED CAREERS AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS. GIVEN THAT THE THEME OF OUR ASSURE PROGRAM IS RESEARCH ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION, THE CORNERSTONE OF THIS PROGRAM IS A 12-WEEK SUMMER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE THAT WILL INCLUDE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN APPLIED AND FUNDAMENTAL ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRIDAYS WHICH WILL INCLUDE INSTRUCTION ON LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION PRACTICES, ON-SITE TOURS OF LOCAL ANIMAL AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY FACILITIES, AND CAREER GUIDANCE THROUGH MENTORING MEETINGS AND CAREER DAY PANELS FROM ANIMAL SCIENCE EXPERTS IN EXTENSION, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND ACADEMIA PROFESSIONS. THE INTENDED IMPACT OF OUR ASSURE PROGRAM IS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER ANIMAL SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO RETAIN WELL QUALIFIED GRADUATES IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE AND STRENGTHEN THE WORKFORCE IN US FOOD ANIMAL PRODUCTION.