A $200,000 grant that will provide targeted intervention for women and minorities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at Arkansas State University has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Funding for the grant, which will be used over three years, begins this fall.
"This grant will create Agri-STEM experiences, outreach, mentorship and leadership, and curriculum to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing agricultural degrees and entering the agriculture workforce in the state," Dr. Nina Crutchfield, assistant professor of agricultural education said.
She said the grant is a multidisciplinary, collaborative partnership between universities across the state.
"Arkansas CommUniversity will holistically support and expand the knowledge and experience of sixth through 12th grade students with agricultural sciences in education and extension functions throughout the state," Crutchfield said. "We will specifically focus on developing successful recruitment and retention programs aimed at students from underrepresented minority backgrounds."
Read more on Talk Business & Politics.