EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM

VISION

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Experiential learning

• Ag science leadership

• Student training and certifications

In the years to come, society will face unprecedented challenges like increasing global temperature, demands for feeding future populations, land availability, and other needs related to agricultural sciences. The Education and Workforce Development platform is designed to train the next generation of diverse students, scientists and problem solvers, many of whom will represent very different demographics relative to the students of today. This platform will serve as a unique, interdisciplinary training ground and conduit for integrating people from these diverse socioeconomic, cultural, educational and research backgrounds into the same environment. It will link existing programs to amplify their impact and establish new programs that engage students at all learning levels and address agricultural workforce needs for decades to come.

GOAL 1: ENHANCE EXISTING UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIPS AND DRIVE NEW COLLABORATIONS WITH K-12 PARTNERS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT NORTH CAROLINA

KEY INITIATIVES

• Establish program for integrating K-12 student summer camps into N.C. PSI, including facility and lab tours and lab demonstrations or other activities

• Work with high school advisors to provide messaging and communications to students, particularly in lower-income areas, that promote agricultural career opportunities

• Work with K-12 administrators and teachers to develop and foster robust teacher training programs focused on longer-term research and learning activities, including paid stipends for teachers participating in research activities

• Develop program and best practices for N.C. PSI projects to integrate community and K-12 outreach into their research projects and grant applications

• Develop section or module on the N.C. PSI website for K-12 providers to understand and access opportunities for schools and students to engage with N.C. PSI faculty and resources

• Form platform advisory board to inform future platform programming, areas of focus and ongoing collaboration

N.C. PSI STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

Strategic Priority 1.2: Transform the future of agriculture through large-scale interdisciplinary pursuits

Strategic Priority 1.4: Develop the next generation of problem solvers in agriculture

Strategic Priority 2.1: Elevate N.C. PSI’s presence across NC State, throughout North Carolina and around the world

Strategic Priority 2.3: Expand N.C. PSI partnerships and strengthen external collaborations

GOAL 2: CONNECT UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDENTS WITH NEW OR EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE CAREER READINESS AND PROMOTE ACCESS TO WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE

KEY INITIATIVES

• Develop communication strategy and module on the N.C. PSI website highlighting the value proposition for students engaging with N.C. PSI and connecting students interested in N.C. PSI with related resources or networks (e.g., faculty looking for research assistance or industry partners with internship opportunities)

• Facilitate lab experiences and tours for undergraduate classes and student groups

• Establish N.C. PSI student ambassador program, utilizing undergraduate and graduate students to conduct demonstrations and tours of N.C. PSI facilities and resources

• Work with other N.C. PSI platforms and key partners to establish umbrella industry and community internship program, or facilitate internship opportunities through existing programs

• Establish process for connecting students affiliated with N.C. PSI to student leadership, career services and other existing university professional development opportunities or programs

• Integrate N.C. PSI into existing university academic programs or identify process and funding to create a new capstone course

• Hold networking events for students to gain networking experience, connect with industry partners, learn more about N.C. PSI resources and areas of focus, and explore internship or work opportunities

• Develop new programming or align with existing research showcases to help elevate and showcase undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral student research or concepts

• Host DGP and DUP meetings at the Plant Sciences Building to connect undergraduate and graduate student coordinators with the resources available through N.C. PSI

N.C. PSI STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

Strategic Priority 1.2: Transform the future of agriculture through large-scale interdisciplinary pursuits

Strategic Priority 1.4: Develop the next generation of problem solvers in agriculture

Strategic Priority 2.1: Elevate N.C. PSI’s presence across NC State, throughout North Carolina and around the world

Strategic Priority 2.2: Prioritize engagement with the North Carolina agriculture sector

Strategic Priority 2.3: Expand N.C. PSI partnerships and strengthen external collaborations

Strategic Priority 3.1: Establish N.C. PSI as a model for interdisciplinary structure, governance, policy, staffing and sustainable funding