** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EXPANDING THE TEXAS SCHOLAR PROGRAM (TEXAS: TEACHING WITH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN ANIMAL SCIENCE)IS AN INTEGRATED PROJECT (EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND EXTENSION)THAT FOCUSES ON INCREASING THE SUCCESS OF UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS BY PREPARING THEM TO ADDRESS NEEDS RELATED TO ANIMAL HEALTH, PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS. THIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT INCLUDES THREE HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS (HSI): TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO-MAYAGUEZ AND WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. A MINIMUM OF 60 UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS WILL BE SELECTED (THROUGH AN INTERVIEW PROCESS) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. THE GOAL IS TO RECRUIT, CULTIVATE, AND GRADUATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF A HIGHLY-SKILLED, DIVERSE WORKFORCE THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO INNOVATIONS IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY. HISPANIC LEADERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE WILL BE INCREASED WITH PARTICIPATION IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE RETENTION AND GRADUATION RATES, AND ENHANCE TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF HISPANIC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECRUITED FROM THE THREE COLLABORATING HSIS. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES WILL BE MET WITH A UNIQUE, MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THAT INCLUDES: STUDENT RESEARCH, EXTENSION PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, PROFESSIONAL MEETING PARTICIPATION, EDUCATIONAL TOUR, JOB SHADOWING, JOURNAL CLUB, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORING. SUCCESS OF EXPANDING THE TEXAS SCHOLAR PROGRAM WILL BE A DIRECT RESULT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, CAREER AWARENESS, AND A DIVERSE NETWORK OF MENTORS AND PROFESSIONALS TO GUIDE STUDENTS IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING THEIR FUTURE. THE RESULT OF EXPANDING THE TEXAS SCHOLAR PROGRAM WILL BE HIGHLY QUALIFIED HISPANIC GRADUATES EQUIPPED WITH TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL, OR CAREERS IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR.

Texas A & M University Kingsville

Investigators