** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY (ENGAGED IN AST) IS AN INTEGRATED PROJECT THAT PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN ENGINEERING, TO: DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES SURROUNDING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION, EXPLORE NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE FOOD INSECURITY ISSUES, EXPERIENCE THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND CREATE EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ENABLE FARMERS, RANCHERS AND OTHERS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION. THE GOAL OF ENGAGED IN AST IS TO SUPPORT UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS' PERSISTENCE TOWARD ENGINEERING DEGREE COMPLETION, PURSUE A CAREER OR GRADUATE STUDIES IN AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY OR A RELATED FIELD AND BECOME CHANGE AGENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.IN ADDITION TO SERVING UARIZONA STUDENTS, STUDENTS FROM CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE (CAC) SERVE AS ENGAGED IN AST FELLOWS.