PRAIRIE VIEW, TX – The 2022 fall semester for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences was another banner year for our students, as the United States Department of Agriculture 1890 National Scholars Program selected 14 of our Panthers for the 2022-2023 scholarship class. The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The program is aimed at students interested in studying agriculture, nutrition, natural resources, and other related sciences.
The primary purpose of the scholarship is to increase the number of students studying and pursuing careers in agriculture, food sciences, natural resource science, or other related disciplines. The honor has many benefits, including full tuition, fees, books, and room and board payment. While all of these are necessary and tangible rewards, our scholars say earning a scholarship through the program has given them, above all, a sense of relief and renewed purpose in their educational journey. “When I found out I received the scholarship, I was ecstatic,” Olvice Greenwood, a sophomore, remembers. “I drove 45 minutes home to tell my parents, and they were so happy.”
Greenwood, along with Ryian Allen, Anaya Byers, Alana Deamon, Tarik Demby, Laila Diaz, Michael Gunner, II, Fred Henderson, Christopher Johnson, Arielle Marshall, Cecil Mosley, Khyri Raymond, Allison Roberson, and Jailon Stewart, received their awards for this term, nearly doubling the number of recipients from the year before.
Back Row: L-R Olvice Greenwood, II, Cecil Mosley, Jailon Stewart, Fred Henderson, III, Bryan Robinson, II, Christopher Johnson, Khyri Raymond, Kameron Shelby; Center Row: L-R Robert Thomas, Christian Peer, Camille Pierre, Arielle Marshall, Gillian Cunningham, Nina Edwards, Laila Diaz; Front Row: L-R Anaya Byers, Olivia Greenwood, Ryian Allen, Michael Gunner, II, Tyrik Demby, Halee Broadnax, Alana Deamon, Trinity Bluford; Not Pictured: Trinity Scott, Allison Roberson, Kira McLeod
Each of the scholars will receive ample support as they begin, or continue, their college education, an opportunity they do not take lightly.
“This scholarship motivates me to continue working hard toward my future goals,” Mosley, a sophomore civil engineering major, said. “I can put my head down and study without the stress of finding a job and other ways to pay for school. Furthermore, being able to intern this summer with the USDA’s NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) department will provide me with invaluable work experience that will undoubtedly be useful in my career.”
The students from PVAMU were selected from various majors, including agriculture, nutrition, and civil engineering. They have also been placed in many departments’ divisions, including NRCS, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and more.
Agriculture has been a part of their lives since childhood, making this opportunity a special one for those dedicated to keeping rural farming alive and growing. Gunner says his father also works for the USDA, making this a full-circle moment for the scholar. This partnership with the department will allow students to foster their devotion to career development in the food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.
“I already knew I wanted to study agriculture,” Byers, a freshman student, said. “Throughout high school, I studied plants and soil properties throughout various classes and FFA competitions, so when I found out that it was a study option, I knew I had to choose it.”
Many scholars described how life-changing the scholarship will be; not only will it give them an entirely different and pleasant college experience, but it will also pave the way for a myriad of new experiences once they graduate from ‘the Hill.’
“I want to go all the way to earning my doctorate degree,” Allen said. “I plan to become a civil engineer and work wherever the best opportunity is. I also want to travel; I will not be in the same place for long unless it is for work.”
The USDA is committed to increasing the presence of African American agricultural professionals within the department, and the students say earning this scholarship is a step in the right direction.
“I think students should apply to learn more about the agricultural field,” Gunner said. Apart from the free tuition, you will enjoy being around people willing to help you learn, even if you do not have a strong agricultural background.”
Horace Hodge, USDA Liaison, Office of Partnership and Public Engagement, says, “USDA is currently accepting applications for the 2023/2024 school year. Graduating high school seniors, college freshmen, and sophomores are eligible to apply. The application guide and the E-application can be found at the following links; USDA 1890 National Scholars Application Applicant Guide; 2023 E-application for the 1890 National Scholars Program. This is a win, win, win program for USDA, eligible students, and each of the nineteen (19) 1890 universities.”
Pascale Mondesir
Communications Specialist
pamondesir@pvamu.edu