New Food and Agri-Sciences Scholarship Opens Opportunities
Sherod Archie
Sherod Archie, a recent Petersburg High School graduate, is attending his first semester at Virginia State University (VSU). Like most college freshman, he’s wading through college courses, assignments, new professors and learning virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But one thing Archie won’t have to worry about is how he will pay for college. Archie was one of 17 students to receive a full scholarship to attend VSU through its new Food and Agri-Sciences Scholarship Program. Archie comes from a single parent family, where his mother, Sheena Bland, worked sometimes three jobs to provide for her four sons, her aging parents and a handicapped brother.
For Archie and his family, receiving a full ride to major in agriculture business and economics was something he only dreamed about. “This scholarship is important because of the history and opportunity it represents,” Archie said. “It’s a chance to pursue my passions and improve my way of life in ways I never thought possible.” It’s also a way to help his family. Archie aspires to become a financial analyst and make enough money to help his family prosper. If he had not received the scholarship, Archie said he would have likely had to struggle to pay for his college education.
Funding for scholarship program comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which in April awarded more than $14 million to provide scholarships at the nation’s 19 historically black 1890 land-grant colleges and universities, including VSU. In fiscal year 2020, each institution received $752,632.
Rep. David Scott (Georgia’s 13th Congressional District), who introduced the bill with support from other members of Congress, led a bipartisan effort to secure funding through the 2018 Farm Bill for new food and agricultural sciences scholars at all 1890 land-grant institutions.
“The support of Congressman Scott and USDA NIFA is making a difference in the lives of minority students who would not be able to attend college, and helping them flourish in historically black, land-grant universities and colleges, like VSU,” said Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, dean/1890 administrator at the VSU College of Agriculture. “This scholarship program helps ensure that students like Archie don’t just dream about a better future, but are financially and academically empowered to achieve a better future.”
Archie is grateful for the opportunity to attend VSU. “VSU is the right choice because of location, its great staff and agriculture being a major focus of my major,” he said. “VSU has one of the best agriculture programs in the state.”
The students who received full scholarships to study food and agricultural science fields at VSU are:
Taylor Anderson, Chesterfield, VA – FCS Dietetics
Sherod Archie, Petersburg, VA – Agricultural Business & Economics
Tliyah Bigelow, Upper Marlboro, MD – Animal Science
Siabella Bates, Herndon, VA – FCS Dietetics
Isiah Blount, Surry, VA – Agricultural Business & Economics
Addison Caldwell, South Chesterfield, VA – FCS Dietetics
Jayden Figueroa, Brooklyn, NY – Agricultural Business & Economics
DaReyon Howell, Surry, VA – Agricultural Business & Economics
Simone Moton, South Ozone Park, NY – Hospitality Management
Desmyn Owens, Brunswick, VA – Agricultural Business & Economics
Reginald Phillips, Chester, VA – Hospitality Management
Jessica Pierce, Surry, VA – Agricultural Business & Economics
Kamelah Riberio, Chesapeake, VA – Animal Science
Mackenzie Rodman, Fort Royal, VA – Hospitality Management
Kayla Smith, Buffalo, NY – Hospitality Management
Kendal Smith, Germantown, MD – FCS Dietetics
Sydney Smith-Harrell, Washington, DC – Animal Science
The VSU Food and Agri-Sciences Scholarship Program is open to full-time students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who are pursuing bachelor's degrees in agriculture, family and consumer sciences or hospitality management at VSU. Eligible students meeting all program requirements may receive full or partial scholarships, including coverage of costs, such as tuition, room and board and support for books and supplies. Transfer students who meet additional requirements are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to two years.
The next application deadline is April 1, 2021. https://www.vsu.edu/agriculture/1890-scholarship-program.php
Connection is published by Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture. Special thanks to everyone who contributed content, photos, ideas and time to this edition.
Executive Editor: Michelle Olgers; Writer/Editor: Lorraine Blackwell; Art Direction, Graphic Design: Brittany R. Hughes
Send address changes and circulation inquiries by email to molgers@vsu.edu. Editorial inquiries and other comments should be sent to Executive Editor, Connection, P.O. Box 9081, Virginia State University, VA 23806 or molgers@vsu.edu.
©2020 Virginia State University College of Agriculture
Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, Dean/1890 Extension Administrator; Dr. Wondi Mersie, Associate Dean/Director of Research; Dr. Janine P. Woods, Associate Administrator VSU Virginia Cooperative Extension; Dr. Michelle Corley, Interim Chair, Associate Professor Department of Agriculture; Dr. Crystal Wynn, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Dr. Berkita Bradford, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Hospitality Management
E-NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter and event alerts directly to your inbox.