Hispanic-Serving Institutions Fresh from the Field

Collaborating to Increase Educational Opportunities

The University of Texas at El Paso recently led a collaborative network of four regional universities to introduce students to the agricultural sciences. 

They built a Regional Energy and Educational Network (BGREEN), which established a network of researchers, educators, USDA agencies, and non-profit organizations to increase educational, training and post-graduation opportunities for Hispanic students pursuing careers in the sustainable energy sector. The project supported the recruitment of underrepresented students, curriculum development, research career experiences, partnerships, graduation in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) disciplines, and other areas. The BGREEN program reached 57 university students, including 35 undergraduates and 22 graduate students. The program also placed 113 students in mentoring and research career experiences at USDA agencies and other organizations focusing on sustainable energy. The program also conducted outreach to more than 800 K-12 students through programs like Imagine the 2050 Green City Design Expo, designed to raise awareness of the environment and spark student interest in a science and engineering careers.

BGREEN was supported through the NIFA's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Read more about BGREEN at the University of Texas website.

Future Foresters

The natural resources workforce can benefit from more diverse perspectives. New Mexico State University is helping foster that by providing career-track opportunities for underrepresented students in this arena. 

NMU’s Southwest Natural Resource Career Track (NRCT) program provided pathways workshops, leadership classes, and community outreach to its students.

The program resulted in 32 undergraduate summer internships and reached more than 1,500 high school and community college students at 14 recruiting events.

NRCT was supported by a NIFA's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Read more here.

A Watershed Moment for Students

All too often, limited financial resources pose a barrier to completing undergraduate or graduate degrees. A program led by California State University-San Bernardino  offered financial support to help students develop skills needed to pursue careers in natural resources and watershed management. 

Undergraduate and graduate students from 18 Hispanic -Serving Institutions in California were selected to receive experiential and career learning experiences in STEM subjects such as coastal and watershed science, biology, and geography. In addition to classroom studies, conferences, and professional workshops, and K-12 and community outreach events, students received internships at USDA agencies, to include the  Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

The program reached 213 undergraduate and graduate students, achieving a 97 percent retention rate. The program placed 68 students in USDA jobs, 128 students in non-USDA jobs, and 17 students entered graduate programs. To date, participating students have garnered 83 degrees including 53 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees, and one doctoral degree. 

Watershed Management Experiential Learning for USDA Careers was supported through NIFA’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Read more about the program here.

Training Future Environmental Leaders

The Florida-Caribbean Consortium for Agriculture Education and Hispanic Workforce Development (FCCAgE) is a multi-institutional consortium in Florida and Puerto Rico for training Hispanic students in agricultural, biological, and natural resources sciences for career placement. The consortium consists of Florida International University (FIU) as the lead institution, Miami Dade College-North Campus (MDC), St. Thomas University, Miami (STU), Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (UIA), and several not-for-profit agencies. The Consortium recruited more than 50 undergraduate students and four graduate students from underrepresented communities into training in biological and natural sciences specialty areas relating to food productivity and the environment.

Support was provided by NIFA's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Watch the students summer experience video. Image provided by FCCAgE.