2020-2021 Funded Projects
The projects funded by the MEA Center specifically focus on increasing the number of career-ready underrepresented graduates with the skills and education needed to work in agriculture and food industries, agriculture science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and related fields of study. Below is a list of the projects funded in 2020.
Project Title
FarmMore: An Interdisciplinary Program to Motivate and Educate
for Achievement
Principal Investigator(s)
- Desmond Mortley, Ph.D., Tuskegee University (Co-PI)
- Willard Collier, Tuskegee University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Recruiting, Retaining, and Developing Transfer Scholars for Agribusiness and Food Industry
Principal Investigator(s)
- Kenrett Y. Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (Co-PI)
- Mohammed Ibrahim, Ph.D., Fort Valley State University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Design and Implementation of a Customized Internship Program for Workforce Experiences in Food and Agriculture
Principal Investigator(s)
- Norma L. Dawkins, Ph.D., Tuskegee University (PI)
- Adelia Bovell-Benjamin, Ph.D., Tuskegee University (Co-PI)
- Grace Namwamba, Ph.D., University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Co-PI)
Project Title
PVAMU-UAPB Collaborative MEA
Principal Investigator(s)
- Laura Carson, Ph.D., Prairie View A&M University (PI)
- Jacklyn Sanders, Prairie View A&M University (Co-PI)
- Wash Jones, Ph.D., Prairie View A&M University (Co-PI)
- Christopher Mathis, Jr., Ph.D., University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Co-PI)
Project Title
Recruit, Retain and Prepare the next generation of minority food sciences students
Principal Investigator(s)
- Roberta Claro da Silva, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (PI)
- Ramine Alexander, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (Co-PI)
- Heather L. Colleran, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (Co-PI)
- Salam A. Ibrahim, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (Co-PI)
Project Title
STEM Scholars Academy
Principal Investigator(s)
- Travella Free, Ed.D., Kentucky State University (Co-PI)
- Hannah Payne, West Virginia State University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Enhancing Student Recruitment and Workforce Development through Partnerships and Engagements
Principal Investigator(s)
- Nirodha De Silva, Ph.D., Langston University (PI)
- Kanyand Matand, Ph.D., Langston University (Co-PI)
- Wesley Whittaker, Ph.D., Langston University (Co-PI)
- Jeremiah Wilson, Langston University (Co-PI)
- Martha Ravola, Ph.D., Alcorn State University (Co-PI)
- Debarshi Roy, Ph.D., Alcorn State University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Building a Community of Future Employees in Food and Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences: Opportunities through Collaboration
Principal Investigator(s)
- Verian D. Thomas, Ph.D., Florida A&M University (PI)
- Conchita Newman, M.S., Florida A&M University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Agricultural and Environmental Science Careers for Non-Traditional Students (AESCONTS)
Principal Investigator(s)
- Elica M. Moss, Ph.D., Alabama A&M University (PI)
- Sanju Sanjaya, Ph.D., West Virginia State University (Co-PI)
Project Title
Youth Futures: College Within Reach
Principal Investigator(s)
- Adrian Hendricks II, Lincoln University (PI)
Project Title
1890 VSU Satellite Center of Excellence to Motivate and Educate for Achievement (MEA)
Principal Investigator(s)
- Michelle M. Corley, Ph.D., Virginia State University (PI)
Project Title
Increasing Enrollment, Retention and Graduation Rates for Undergraduate Students in the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
Principal Investigator(s)
- Nina Lyon Bennett, PhD, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (PI)
Project Title
Engaging K-12 students to expose them to career opportunities in FAHN disciplines
Principal Investigator(s)
- Jurgen Schwarz, Ph.D., University of Maryland Eastern Shore (PI)
Project Title
You’re Hired: Virtual Youth Work Readiness Program
Principal Investigator(s)
- Misty Blue-Terry, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University (PI)
Project Title
Building Employability Skills to Triumph (B.E.S.T.) Program
Principal Investigator(s)
- Olga Bolden-Tiller, Ph.D., Tuskegee University (PI)
Project Title
AgriSTEM Saturday Academy Program
Principal Investigator(s)
- Verian D. Thomas, Ph.D., Florida A&M University (PI)