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)