Page 7 - Impact Fall 2021

STUDENTS POSE WITH GOLDY AT THE CAMPUS KICK-OFF EVENT.
Introducing the Cargill University THRIVE Program
In spring 2021, Cargill and the University of Minnesota announced the Cargill University THRIVE Program. The program supports eight universities and associations that are prioritizing higher education opportunities for underrepresented students, ensuring more equitable access for women and minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), agriculture and business.
In September, the U of M
welcomed the inaugural group of
30 first-year scholars from CFANS,
the Carlson School of Management,
and the College of Science and
Engineering, celebrating them with
a campus kick-off event attended
by Cargill’s University of Minnesota
Executive Champion, Melissa Leick
(College of Liberal Arts, ’98) and other Cargill representatives.
This fall, the Cargill University THRIVE Program will bring a program staff coordinator on board and select 10 second-year students at the end of both fall and spring semesters to receive scholarships and leadership and professional development programming in spring semester — growing the program to 50 annual scholarship recipients by fall 2022.
Hilariia Ponce, a first-year student featured in this issue of Impact, is one of the CFANS Cargill THRIVE scholars.
Investing in ag ed
CHS Foundation generosity champions the AgriCast initiative
As the world looks to sustainably nourish a growing population, the demand for K-12 agriculture, food, and natural resource teachers has increased exponentially in Minnesota and elsewhere — and CFANS plays a key role in educating these future educators.
Thanks to CHS Foundation support, the Department of Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing (AECM) is able to offer the student-driven platform AgriCast, a digital resource and website dedicated to sharing science concepts and stories. AgriCast includes content produced by AECM students, including podcasts, virtual field trips, lesson plans, and a video library with stories on current topics.
“AgriCast is where much of our AECM students’ hard work can be viewed,” said Troy McKay, PhD, CHS Digital Media Teaching Assistant Professor in
the department. “It’s a digital platform produced with intention. Not only do students build 21st century communication skills, the content is packaged to meet the needs of current K-12 ag teachers, many of whom are CFANS graduates.”
McKay, who spent much of his career in the film industry, transitioned to higher education to bring
his working knowledge of media production to the classroom. “When students know their work is going out to the public and not just for a grade in class, the stakes are raised,” he said. “As technologies change, our graduates may be looking for guidance in the future. AgriCast is a great resource to stay engaged with former students and provide professional development, as well.”
McKay is grateful to the CHS Foundation, explaining that his position wouldn’t exist without its support. “The CHS funding has provided cutting-edge technologies that allow students to be creative and produce relevant content,” he said.
Curious to check out the content on AgriCast for yourself?
Scan this code with your phone's camera to visit the website.
PROGRAM SUPPORT AND OUTREACH
$50 MILLION
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