By: Tucker Wilson

April 27 – Agriculture touches every aspect of life, and now a new scholarship program for 1890 land-grant food and agricultural sciences (FAS) majors will ensure that Prairie View A&M University and other 1890 institutions will be instrumental in growing future agriculture professionals. First-time college students and those who transfer from other colleges are eligible for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences’ Passport to Careers in Agriculture, or PCA, scholarship.

CAHS Associate Professor and the grant’s Project Director, Wash A. Jones, Ph.D., is excited about the possibilities these funds will support. “While serving as a conduit to increase student enrollment, this scholarship provides the college an opportunity to impact the education and lives of an increased number of potential agricultural professionals through funding, professional development, and career preparation.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by CAHS Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs, Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D., “student recruitment, success, and completion are among our top academic priorities. This scholarship program will enable and empower us to achieve these priorities in an expeditious manner.”

The USDA awarded PVAMU $2.25 million over the four years of the grant. The Passport to Careers in Agriculture scholarship will provide financial assistance through 18-full scholarships or 13 partial scholarships to freshmen or transfer students. The new program seeks to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, human sciences, and other agriculture-related disciplines. According to Jones, there’s a great need for these professionals. “The career field of agriculture and related sciences is experiencing a serious shortfall of human capital, and we hope that this scholarship program nationwide will provide vital rejuvenation to the pipeline of individuals who will become outstanding leaders in this critical industry.”

D’Souza added this is a great time to be involved in agriculture. “Food security is one of our signature programs. With COVID-19, it’s more evident than ever before that the healthier we are and the greater access we have to nutritious food, the better we are able to resist and recover from disease.”

He goes on to thank U.S. Congressman David Scott (GA-13), members of Congress, including the Texas congressional delegation, USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NFIA), and NIFA Director Scott Angle for forging a partnership with the 1890 institutions to help implement this grant program.

In addition, PVAMU’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, James M. Palmer, Ph.D., said the new Passport to Careers in Agriculture scholarship is an excellent opportunity to help grow young scholars into 21st-century agricultural professionals. “PVAMU is investing in young agricultural scholars through innovative learning environments, including a new meat lab and additional greenhouses on the university farm. With support from this important scholarship opportunity,” he said, “we can better prepare our graduates to positively impact their field of study and the world.”

Funding for the PCA scholarship is made possible through NIFA’s 1890 Scholarships Program, authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. As part of the program, students will receive professional development assistance, including mentoring, preparation for internships, and career readiness counseling. To qualify for the scholarship, students must have and maintain at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

The Passport to Careers in Agriculture scholarship is in conjunction with the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The program facilitates partnerships, as well as offers education and resources to foster hope and opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building in rural and underserved communities.

For more information about the scholarship contact:

Wash Jones

Wash A. Jones, Ph.D.
Phone: 936-261-2538
Email: wajones@pvamu.edu

For more information about the scholarship requirements and the application, visit:
https://www.pvamu.edu/cafnr/pca-scholarship-program/

CIVIL RIGHTS STATEMENT:

The College of Agriculture and Human Science does not discriminate against anyone regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity. Persons who require communication in a language other than English or with a disability who require alternative means of communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) or should contact (936) 261-5002 in advance.