The AgriCULTURE project develops a student-centered experiential learning opportunity for Texas A&M University - Kingsville Colleges of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and Agriculture (COAG) students. The program will take advantage of current collaborations between TAMUK and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico (PUCPR) to synergize experiences and create a network between TAMUK and USDA agencies in PR. Students acquire biotechnology skills through the “Biotechnology Research, Ethics and Culture in Agriculture” course, are exposed to USDA career opportunities and training, and are exposed to a new culture; ideal matters to obtain novel insights on how to serve a diverse community. Our strategy is to maximize the use of USDA resources while helping underserved Hispanic students connect the academic classroom to real life. This will also strengthen institutional capacity by creating new teaching programs for students at TAMUK that will become self-sustained after the funding period.

This workshop will examine the partnership between TAMUK Colleges, the USDA and PUCPR, to create a model for experiential academic programs in agricultural sciences. Exchange between collaborating institutions created a new environment for hands-on practices, career development and cultural awareness that enrich student’s academic and personal profile leading to academic success.

Workshop attendees will learn developmental strategies, execution guidelines, results, assessment and lessons learned from the PUCPR-TAMUK partnership. Second, they will get a chance to assess how to build their own program; tailored to address specific university challenges and students’ needs. 1. Glance through the creation of the program. We will focus on: student’s need, overall goal, target audience, institutional resources required, and communication and organizational tools used. 2. Interactive activity: Use this model to design new partnerships. This section will cover issues that are relevant before, during and after program implementation.