Five months ago, I was offered one of the greatest opportunities of my budding career with USDA, an invitation to join the Office of Advocacy and Outreach as the Interim Lead for the USDA/1890 Program. I eagerly and enthusiastically accepted the challenge, and what an AMAZING experience it has been! Why so much excitement one may ask? The answer is quite simple, serving as the Interim Lead of the 1890 Program has given me the opportunity to do what every public servant is called to do….“give back.”
Just a few years ago, I was selected as a USDA/1890 National Scholar at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and today, I have been given the privilege of “giving back” to the community, to the program, to the people, to the Agency, and to the University that has invested so much in me and has shaped the very essence of who I am as a young professional. Because of the wonderful experience that I had as a USDA/1890 Scholar, I am both excited and humbled to be able to offer the same amazing opportunity to students who want to continue the great legacy of “The People’s Department,” The U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the eighteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities and pursuing a bachelor degree in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. Each award provides annual tuition, summer employment, employee benefits, fees, books, room and board, and use of a laptop computer, printer, and software each of the 4 academic years while on scholarship. Upon completion of the scholar’s academic degree program, there is an obligation of 1 year of service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each year of financial support.
To find out more information about this great opportunity, please visit our website. All application materials must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2011 and sent to the University selected by the applicant to attend.