Extension Today
News from and about the 1890 Land-Grant Extension SystemMessage from the Chair

Dr. Carolyn Williams Executive Associate Director, Prairie View A&M University
Given the many demanding tasks that Extension staff handle daily, providing them with honor and recognition is crucial. Exceptional performers deserve acknowledgment for their hard work. Taking the time to praise staff for a job well done is important. Rewards and peer recognition are key to appropriately acknowledging, appreciating and motivating staff efforts.
Showing appreciation not only strengthens relationships and improves workplace culture but also positively affects performance. We are fortunate to work alongside such outstanding colleagues, and this edition highlights the 1890 powerful difference makers. Let’s continue to recognize our dedicated and passionate 1890 colleagues who consistently exhibit professional excellence and excel in meeting the needs of our communities and families.
THANK YOU to all our award winners.
2024 AEA Excellence in Extension award winners


Agriculture and Natural Resources
Dr. Jason deKoff is an Extension professor and program leader for agriculture and natural resources in the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University (TSU). He has worked as an Extension specialist and faculty member at TSU since 2010. In 2016, he received tenure and was promoted to associate professor and in 2022 was promoted to professor. He engages in research and Extension programs in the areas of bioenergy crop production, soil health and drone technology.
DeKoff has also taught a graduate-level course in research methods for more than 10 years, served as the assistant program leader (providing leadership for eight faculty) for agriculture and natural resources (2014-20), as the Environmental Sciences Focus Group leader (providing leadership for 20-plus faculty) in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (2014-20) and as Extension program leader for ANR (2020 to present).
While at TSU, deKoff has received more than 60 international, national and local awards and recognition and was awarded more than $4 million in external funding as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI. His outputs include 200-plus agent/stakeholder trainings, 50-plus research and Extension publications, and 20-plus Extension videos (100,000-plus views). He also serves on multiple committees.
Family and Consumer Sciences
Nkenge Hyter is an urban regional Extension agent in Madison County, working in the program areas of human nutrition, diet and health. For more than 27 years, Hyter has dedicated herself to improving health outcomes, not just enhancing quality of life but also extending it. The impact of her work is evident in the testimonials of program participants who have experienced reduced reliance on medication, decreased expenditure on expensive medicines and even lower diagnoses of chronic illnesses following her effective training sessions.
Her high-energy Two-Step Tuesday line dance classes have drawn in hundreds, propelling millions of steps toward better health and well-being. She's renowned for energizing both participants and colleagues, fostering productivity at work and play.
Hyter's reputation for delivering top-tier programs extends throughout North Alabama, evidenced by the multitude of agencies and organizations annually seeking her expertise. She has forged more than 20 Memoranda of Understanding with partnering agencies, expanding her reach to thousands in limited-resource, minority and underserved communities. Her expertise in organizing, executing and evaluating health, wellness and family and child development programs has not only garnered acclaim but also secured more than $600,000 in funding, amplifying program reach and impact.
And the winner is…

It’s that time of the year again for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama Extension) to highlight awards from our hardworking and dedicated staff. This year, the spotlight shines on Urban Regional Extension Agent Nkenge Hyter who received a 2024 Excellence in Extension Award from the Association of Extension Administrators. Hyter was recognized for her work in family and consumer sciences during the 2024 Southern Region Program Leadership Network meeting in August in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A graduate and now an employee of Alabama A&M University, Hyter has also implemented Cooperative Extension programming at the University of Tennessee Extension and IFAS Extension University of Florida over the course of 27 years. Today, she is popular for her aerobic line dancing classes that have reached more than 17,000 participants of all ages, averaging 4,000 to 6,000 steps per class.
In addition, Alabama Extension congratulates the following staff for their accomplishments during the past year.
- Urban Regional Extension Agent Darlene Minniefield received the 2024 Innovation in Programming Team Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and an award from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Employees Organization Inc. for 25+ Years of Service.
- Urban Regional Extension Agent Darlene Minniefield received $10,500 to implement the Successful Aging Initiative Conference and the Mother-Daughter Tea from the Alabama Council on Economic Education.
- The Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute Site Director Danielle Rudolph received $350,000 for the Saving the Family Property: Heirs Property Prevention, Resolution and Land Use project from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and $7,500 from the Alabama Securities Commission.
Extension awards employees for dedication, outstanding service
By Dr. Brenda Robinson



The Alcorn State University’s Extension Program had its Awards Day on Dec. 11, 2023. Extension awarded employees for their dedication and exemplary services provided to the organization and the communities they serve.
The awardees are:
- Kevin King - Outstanding Extension Educator Award
- Dr. Emran Ali - Outstanding New Employee Award
- Katrice Felton-Robinson - Outstanding Support Staff Award
King is an agriculture Extension educator. His hard work, dedication and accomplishments in providing exceptional educational support to small farmers in underserved communities made him an excellent award recipient.
Ali is a horticulture specialist. He has demonstrated dedication and creativity. He developed, designed and distributed the Extension newsletter to highlight Extension, impacts and accomplishments of programs, events and activities. He has shown his willingness to exceed the scope of his duties, which has been quite exceptional.
Felton-Robinson is the support staff for Extension staff in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Warren counties. She has demonstrated dedication and loyalty to the Alcorn State University Extension Program. Felton-Robinson excels in performing her duties above and beyond in an extraordinary manner.
Megan Pleasanton honored with 2024 Extension Master Gardener National Coordinator Award for DEI

Megan Pleasanton, a standout leader at Delaware State University (DSU) Cooperative Extension, has been honored with the esteemed 2024 Extension Master Gardener National Coordinator Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Pleasanton's career is a testament to her unique approach to community engagement and inclusivity, particularly evident in her work with Kent County Master Gardener Volunteers and the DSU Community Garden.
A DSU graduate with a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture, Pleasanton's career has been marked by her commitment to extending gardening resources to underserved communities. Her innovative approach includes coordinating workdays at DSU's Downtown community garden, which provides participants with hands-on learning in sustainable gardening. She also leads initiatives such as the Kent County Helpline and the Garden Advice Program, ensuring residents have access to expert advice.
Pleasanton excels in collaboration, working closely with partners like the University of Delaware, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and local community groups. Her efforts to involve DSU alums and diverse volunteers enrich the programs and expand their reach.
Pleasanton's unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community-centered development has left an indelible mark, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources while nurturing environmental stewardship. Her dedication to volunteerism, professional development and innovative programming not only embodies the mission of DSU Cooperative Extension but also sets a high standard for others to aspire to.
Striking from the top!




Florida A&M University (FAMU) Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) continues to deliver research-based solutions that help individuals, families and communities thrive in Florida’s dynamic economy.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our esteemed colleagues on receiving the following awards and honors:
- Dr. Sabrina Hayes, FAE4-HA Specialty Award - Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education and two State Awards for Programs of Excellence - Junior Entomology Program and Tomato Record Book.
- Conchita Newman and Dr. Omolola Betiku, team members, FAE4-HA Specialty Award - Excellence in Workforce Development Programming.
- Kimberly Davis, team member, FANREP Outstanding Educational Materials Award/Book or Comprehensive Program Curriculum for 4-H Community Action Projects for the Environment (CAPE).
- Vonda Richardson, Extension director, becomes the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) chair in September at the 2024 National Extension Directors and Administrators Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. ECOP is the representative leadership and governing body of the Cooperative Extension System, the nationwide transformational educational system operating through land-grant universities in partnership with federal, state and local governments. She will serve as chair for the next year through September 2025.
- Dr. Dreamal Worthen, Extension specialist, will serve as chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences Committee for the Southern Region Program Leadership Network (SR-PLN) for 2024-25. The mission of the SR-PLN is to foster and strengthen Extension educational programming throughout the southern region by promoting multistate cooperation, anticipating emerging program issues and needs, and implementing action processes to address them in a timely manner.
Again, congratulations to all.
Extension staff recognized for work, service



Several Fort Valley State University (FVSU) staff in the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology recently received awards and recognitions for their exceptional work in Extension.
The Oconee Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) Foundation awarded FVSU’s Twiggs County 4-H Program $4,600. Phillip Petway, FVSU 4-H agent for Twiggs County, completed and submitted the grant application.
Agricultural Communications earned several honors from the Association for Communication Excellence at its annual conference in June in Salt Lake City, Utah. Russell Boone Jr., ChaNaè Bradley, Jeff Brothers, Latasha Ford and Yolanda Surrency, Ed.D, earned five awards for writing and publications.
Francine Hollis, Ph.D., chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences Department (FCS), was named to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Council for Accreditation.
Kena Torbert, family life specialist, received the 2024 Outstanding Family and Consumer Sciences Professional Award from the National Coalition for Black Development in Family and Consumer Sciences in June at the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
FCS Extension agents Brenda Salter, Ginger Chastine and Rolanda Willingham also completed trainings and earned awards. Salter received certificates of completion for the Grant Writing USA workshop and Understanding Heirs’ Property at the Community Level workshop. Chastine received the Outstanding Partnership Award from the FVSU Extension Office in Hancock County for supporting the Hancock Health Improvement Partnership. Willingham received a certificate of recognition from Cordele Healthy Families.
Marc Thomas, Extension director of field operations, received an annual award of $13,500 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Renewable Resources Extension Act for the “Georgia Forestry and Estate Planning Training through Landowner Workshops” grant.
Langston University awarded Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborator of the Year

On March 1, 2024, Langston University was honored with the prestigious "OLAC Key Collaborator of the Year" award by the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC) during the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Summit (OKLAS).
This recognition highlighted the outstanding efforts of the Langston University Cooperative Extension team, whose work alongside OLAC has been instrumental in supporting the agriculture community. The award particularly recognized Langston University's contributions to creating valuable digital resources for OLAC members and aiding small farmers in growing their businesses.
In addition to receiving this award, Langston University played a pivotal role at the 2024 OKLAS event, hosting a full-day workshop featuring speakers from the LU-Cooperative Extension team. Topics covered included production management, value addition in agriculture, marketing and financial strategies, and a panel discussion on the use of hoop houses.
Pioneering AI-powered pest management, outreach to spotted wing drosophila in small fruit production

Dr. Waana Kaluwasha, assistant professor of plant pathology at Lincoln University, is leading an innovative project to develop a cloud-based monitoring tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to manage the invasive spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in small fruit production. Funded by a $548,179 U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture Capacity Building Grant, this project, running from April 2024 to March 2027, aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of pest management.
The spotted wing drosophila, a small fruit fly, poses a significant threat to soft fruits like berries and grapes by laying eggs inside them, causing the fruit to soften, wrinkle and rot as the larvae feed. Kaluwasha’s AI-driven tool will help farmers identify SWD more accurately and reduce the need for manual insect counting, leading to more targeted and cost-effective pest control strategies.
Field activities began in May 2024 with Kaluwasha’s team setting up traps and collecting data at six sites across Missouri. The AI model is being trained to distinguish SWD from other insects, with data collection ongoing through October 2024 and resuming in 2025.
Outreach is a key component of the project. Kaluwasha presented the project at the Missouri State Fair and LU’s Carver Farm Field Day. Next summer, she plans to engage local high school students in AI-based pest management techniques, offering hands-on learning opportunities. In the project’s third year, Kaluwasha will focus on workshops, webinars and instructional videos to share findings with farmers and stakeholders across the state. She will also present updates at the Great Plains Growers Conference in January 2025.
Heirs property team wins state-level Cooperative Extension award

A North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension-led program designed to help landowners protect and preserve their generational land has earned a major award from the North Carolina Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists.
Understanding Heirs Property at the Community Level in North Carolina, led by Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., in collaboration with colleagues from North Carolina State University (NCSU), was named Outstanding Subject Matter Program by a Team by the statewide Extension organization. The award marks the first time the two land-grant universities have worked together on an heirs property project.
“This is a team award, and we’re happy to receive it,” said Dari, an assistant professor and natural resource agriculture and natural resource specialist with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T. “Heirs property is a very critical issue to small-scale landowners in North Carolina. Too many people do not know there are legal pathways and useful resources available to secure their property. We hope this program allows other interdisciplinary groups and land-grant institutions to work together to help landowners.”
The project’s co-principal investigators, affiliated with NCSU, include Robert Andrew Branan, JD, of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; Kurt Smith, Ph.D., of NCSU Forestry Department; and Noah Rannells, Ph.D., of NC FarmLink.
2022-23 TAMUS Regents Fellow Service Award recipient: Dr. Rukeia Draw-Hood

Dr. Rukeia Draw-Hood, program leader for 4-H Youth Development, has been an Extension professional in her current position for 12 years. Her notable achievements include being named a trailblazer by the National 4-H Council in 2022. She has also received several other awards: the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences Team Award in 2021, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Staff Person of the Year in 2020, the National Urban Extension Leadership 1890 Innovator Team Award for Growing U in 2020 and the Cooperative Extension Program Outstanding Support Award in 2018.
Draw-Hood excels in Extension programming, consistently making a positive impact on underrepresented communities and offering visionary leadership within the system. Her contributions to Cooperative Extension span state, national and international levels. She adeptly implements organizational changes that foster diversity and innovation in programs targeting youths in Texas and across the nation. By introducing groundbreaking models and techniques, she ensures that Extension programs engage all learning audiences equitably. Throughout her tenure, Draw-Hood has secured more than $15 million in funding to support educational activities and sponsored research.
Under her leadership, her institution became the first historically Black college and university to sponsor Juntos, a college preparation program aimed at LatinX families. She has also spearheaded multi-state programs and funding initiatives in collaboration with up to nine other 1890 institutions. Furthermore, her unit has been instrumental in providing millions of dollars in academic scholarships.
Mark Nettles receives Ishmel Washington Excellence in Extension Award

South Carolina State Public Service and Agriculture (SC State PSA) recognized Mark Nettles, Extension agriculture agent for the Midlands Region, as the 2023 Ishmel Washington Excellence in Extension Award recipient. This award honors Nettles’ dedication to serving the agricultural community and exemplifying the true spirit of Extension.
Nettles’ work extends beyond Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. Nettles is known for his reliability and willingness to assist farm partners, colleagues and community members and has made a significant impact at SC State PSA.
The Ishmel Washington Excellence in Extension Award honors an Extension agent who embodies the mission of SC State PSA through effective leadership and program initiatives that enhance the quality of life for underserved populations. Nettles’ work aligns with this mission by helping to advance agriculture and support the needs of local communities.
Reflecting on the award, Nettles expressed, “It’s an honor to be recognized for the work I truly enjoy. Helping farmers and communities is at the heart of what we do in Extension, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving.”
Nettles has consistently demonstrated his commitment to improving agricultural practices and addressing challenges small and limited-resource farmers face. His effort continues to have a lasting effect on the growth and sustainability of South Carolina agriculture.
SU Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Program receives grants to develop Youth S.T.E.A.M. Mobile Laboratory

The Southern University Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Program received a capacity building grant to develop its Jagratory Youth Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) Mobile Lab through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program.
The project received $250,000 in funding and will provide youths with enriching experiences that introduce educational and career opportunities in agriculture, family and consumer science, and ag technology while introducing and broadening their awareness of the educational and professional opportunities in the agricultural sector.
The mobile lab will travel to various communities across Louisiana, offering hands-on activities and interactive sessions that educate and inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals.
The mobile lab is one of three capacity building grants awarded to the SU Ag Center and the SU College of Ag, totaling more than $1 million. The additional grants include:
- Project Farm to Feminine Hygiene: Enhancing the Textiles Lab for Research, Extension, a Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching at Southern University. This project received $600,000 in funding.
- Eco Leaders: Building a Workforce Pipeline through Natural Resource Leadership, Recruitment and Career Skill Enhancement, which received $299,888 in funding.
Funding for all three grants began in April 2024 and will continue until April 2027. To learn more about the grants, visit https://www.suagcenter.com/news/6826.
TSUAg’s Nandwani becomes first from HBCU to be named ASHS Fellow

The American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) recently named Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) botanist and professor of organic agriculture Dr. Dilip Nandwani as a 2024 ASHS Fellow. In being named as part of the 2024 class of ASHS Fellows, not only does Nandwani join some select company but he also becomes the first scientist from a historically Black college and university or 1890 Land-grant University to receive the honor, the highest that the ASHS bestows on its members.
Nandwani is one of eight scientists to be named ASHS Fellows as part of the 2024 class and one of only 500 Fellows in the more than 60-year history of the ASHS. Fellows of the society are recognized for outstanding contributions to horticulture in research, teaching, administration or Extension. Nandwani has spent more than three decades teaching, researching and mentoring in agriculture science and education. He manages TSU’s certified organic farm, which includes fruits, vegetables, root crops and herbs that are used for research, education and Extension efforts.
"I am honored to be recognized by the American Society for Horticultural Science as a Fellow,” says Nandwani of the honor. “This award is an acknowledgment of teamwork of 30 years in horticultural research, Extension and teaching, as well as emphasizes commitment to advancing our society by horticultural education and principles."
Newly elected Fellows were honored at an awards ceremony during the 121st ASHS Annual Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Tuskegee University offers 'Growing Connection' for urban, rural communities

Dr. Lindsey Lunsford was awarded a $600,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The funds are part of a $30.8 million investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the 19 designated 1890 historically black land-grant universities. This investment, made through the NIFA 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program, will support research-based Extension addressing some of our nation’s toughest agricultural challenges.
The grant, titled "Growing Connection: Linking Urban and Rural Agriculture Communities of Learning for Marginalized Populations," targets significant challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, the decline of rural areas and fragile supply chains. These challenges have broad implications not only for agriculture but also the wider community in terms of economic stability, community health and environmental sustainability.
In collaboration with Tuskegee University, the University of the District of Columbia and the Urban Growers Collective, the project will implement a coalition of proven and innovative approaches. This includes offering fellowships and internships to students and community partners, as well as student-led mini-grants. The goal is to empower marginalized populations through non-formal education, research and direct engagement.
"Growing Connection" will offer fellowships and mini-grants to link urban and rural agricultural communities and foster a new generation of leaders in sustainable agriculture and community health. The project is further strengthened by the expertise of Drs. Franklin Quarcoo and Harold Higgins, who serve with Lunsford as co-investigators. Their contributions will be vital in ensuring the success of the Growing Connection initiative, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise in sustainable agriculture and community development.
Joe Friend, UAPB forester, to receive Presidential Field Forester Award

Joe Friend, forester for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), has been chosen to receive the Presidential Field Forester Award by the Society of American Foresters. The award recognizes foresters for their innovative methods and record of excellence in the profession.
Friend was hired by UAPB in 2016 as part of the university’s “Keeping it in the Family” (KIITF) Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Program. The overarching goal of SFLR is to address historic barriers to African American success in forestry and to help landowners retain their family land.
“Joe and our project team, which includes conservationists and foresters, do an outstanding job working with producers,” Dr. Henry English, head of UAPB’s Small Farm Program, said. “Their ‘boots on the ground’ approach provides our clientele with high-quality education and service.”
Friend, former district forester with the Arkansas Forestry Commission in Monticello, Arkansas, has served the forestry industry in many roles, including survey party chief, forest ranger, county forester and law enforcement investigator. In 2003, he was named district forester, a position he held until 2014.
Friend has a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He is a registered forester, a member, fellow and committee chairman of the Society of American Foresters, and a member of the board of directors of the Arkansas Forestry Association.
UMES to help coastal communities face climate challenges

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Extension will serve the Delmarva Peninsula in a collaborative project helping rural coastal communities be more resilient to climate change. The Climate-Ready Coasts initiative, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a $1.97 million investment in high-impact projects that create coastal hazard solutions.
UMES will conduct activities for Extension educators and related groups to hone their effectiveness as partners in resiliency efforts. The focus is in coastal communities in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, where agriculture plays a key role in the local economy.
“To be a climate-ready coast and nation, the issues facing our farmers must be met,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said in a July 26 announcement. “This project will help ensure the continuation of our food supply and also help farming exist as a healthy means for supporting families.”
Virginia Tech, the project lead, is partnering with UMES and sister historically Black 1890 Land-grant Universities, including Delaware State and Virginia State.
“UMES Extension will create a needs assessment and hold community listening sessions to see what is taking place in our area to help mitigate climate change, difficulties being experienced and exploring ways to improve resiliency,” said Nazia Arbab, an agribusiness resource economics specialist and PI for UMES’ subaward on the project.
PROSPERing together

Youth mental health and substance misuse are national problems that span communities, demographics and disciplines. To address these issues in Virginia’s youths, Extension specialists at Virginia State University (VSU) partnered with Extension colleagues at Virginia Tech (VT) to form an interdisciplinary team to create the PROmoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) program for youths aged 10-14 and their families.
In June, the PROSPER team became the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) National Winner of the Cross-Program Team Award for 2024 at the NACDEP annual conference in Houston, Texas. The PROSPER program received $1.28 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Children, Youth and Families at Risk grant to develop programs to support middle school-aged youths to help them grow into healthy adults with critical life skills to navigate modern hurdles of adolescence.
Tiffany Freer, the health Extension specialist for VCE at VSU and PROPSER project director, and Nicole Swinson, a collaborator on the project and the youth development associate for VCE at VSU, created evidence-based, proactive prevention programs with their partners at VT and Extension agents and county coordinators in the four participating counties.
“It was a true collaboration from start to finish,” says Freer. “Our large team worked hand-in-hand and planned every activity together.”
The PROSPER team designed specific programs for seventh-grade health and physical education classes so that every student in the participating school would benefit from the lessons.
Virginia Cooperative Extension extends the resources of Virginia's two land-grant universities, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech, to solve problems facing Virginians every day.
Bridging equity gaps in West Virginia's STEM education

By Alisha Jarrett
In the 2022 academic year, the West Virginia Department of Education reported concerning statistics regarding science and math proficiency rates for public school students. The data revealed that only 28% of students demonstrated proficiency in science and 35% in math. These findings highlight a worrying trend in academic achievement, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, among West Virginia students.
Further analysis revealed that students in rural areas with low populations, such as in various parts of West Virginia, faced significant structural barriers to their participation and success in STEM fields. These barriers included limited access to high-speed internet, STEM learning opportunities and STEM career advising. Such challenges were further compounded by the high rate of food insecurity in the state with approximately 1 in 7 West Virginia children being affected.
West Virginia State University (WVSU) and West Virginia University (WVU) are implementing the Seeing is Believing: Bridging Equity Gaps in STEM (BEGS) project to address these issues and build STEM career aspirations among middle school students in West Virginia.
“This project aims to provide participating students with hands-on experiences in utilizing technology in agriculture, thereby equipping them to become ambassadors in addressing food and agriculture issues in the state,” said WVSU Extension Director of Urban and Non-Traditional Programming Kaysha Jackson.
The project is grounded in the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). It leverages existing resources and systems from WVSU and WVU to bridge the gap in STEM experiences among rural youths.