COALS Outreach:

Preparing Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow (PALOT) Project: 
Developed to establish a support system for the underrepresented student that will assist them in completing their college degree, while introducing them to the wide array of career opportunities in today’s food and agriculture system by dismissing the myth that agriculture and life science equates to field labor.  It is comprised of several independent and interchangeable components:  

• Agriculture Education Conference: The conference will utilize world-renown faculty, College students, and Texas A&M staff to inform high school students of the 15 departments and 28 majors that can lead to a great career and future in their respective field.  Additionally, project participants will be provided with the necessary tools to ensure success in college completion.

• AgForLife Student Association (AFLSA) Mentoring:  Student members of the AFLSA association will provide mentoring to prospective high school students.  Students will have the opportunity to communicate with present-day college students and receive answers to college related questions.  

• Students Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (STARS) Summer Program: A three-day residential program for high school students.  Geared for students interested in agriculture, science, natural resources, and related sciences.  Designed to explore careers in agriculture and related disciplines while developing team-building and leadership skills.

• “Abriendo Puertas” (Opening Doors) Parental Communication Initiative:  A parental initiative program developed to assist in reconnecting families, especially within the critical points in which youth disengage from both the traditional family environment.   The initiative was designed to emphasize the important role parents play in the educational process and success of their children by empowering parents to support their children’s college access and participation efforts.

Abriendo Puertas will utilize parents to establish a support system for Hispanic youth that will assist these students in college enrollment and completion.  To assist parents in understanding the value of higher education, Abriendo Puertas utilizes trained “volunteer” parent-to-parent communication in small group settings.  Curriculum is prepared in a bi-lingual, simple, concise, and culturally relevant manner and presented at locations convenient to project participants. 


Recruitment:
Recruitment efforts implement and/or compliment programs at Texas A&M University to assist high school students and parents in making decisions about agriculture, food, natural resources and related sciences opportunities.  This objective will be accomplished by utilizing, at a minimum, the following measures:

• Admissions Assistance:  Work in conjunction with the Office of Admissions and Records to recruit students for COALS and provide application workshops.

• Student Financial Aid:  Provide financial aid representatives to discuss all types of financial assistance to students and parents. 

• Middle and High School Visits:  Students and parents are invited to visit Texas A&M University and learn more about programs offered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

• Students Training in Agriculture and Related Sciences (STARS):  A three-day residential program developed to entice students interested in agriculture, food, natural resources and life sciences.  The students visit departments to participate in activities and research potential careers.  Students learn leadership and team building skills by participating in a challenge ropes course.

• AgForLife Student Association (AFLSA): This association provides a great venue for college students and high school students to interact while promoting COALS.  The TAMU AFLSA Association is instrumental in the recruiting process by facilitating and participating in the Outreach and mentoring programs.  Log on to http://agforlife.tamu.edu for more information.

• AgForLife Student Association Mentoring:  Students in the AgForLife Student Association participate in mentoring programs for students through the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative.

• Houston Hispanic Forum:  This one day activity attracts 10,000-15,000 people from the Houston and surrounding area to learn more about educational opportunities.  The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences participates in this program and provides outreach to parents and students.

• Texas A&M University Prospective Student Center Partnerships:  Collaborating with the TAMU Prospective Student Center (PSC) offices expands COALS awareness and recruiting opportunities.  The TAMU Prospective Student Center targets first generation college students in various locations throughout the state.    

• Minority Recruitment and Leadership Course (AGED 380): This course provides students with the proper tools and resources to be effective while visiting with middle and high school students and serving as a role model and mentor.  Students hone their presentation skills and learn to work and solve problems in groups through team building activities.

Educational Development:

Matriculation: 
It is the intent that the COALS Educational Outreach and Recruitment efforts result in student matriculation to Texas A&M.  For our programs to succeed it is instrumental that once admitted, students enroll and attend the University. 
               

• Student Call-a-thon:  COALS students and faculty call admitted high school students to answer any questions and encourage them to enroll.  The goal is for students who have been admitted to enroll.  A good gauge of success is the matriculation of students to Texas A&M University.

• Prospective Student Tracking Database:  A prospective student database was developed to assist in tracking potential students interested in careers in agriculture, food, fiber and related sciences.  All 15 departments have access to the database to assist in the recruiting process based on the student’s interest.  Students can be identified as early as middle school.

Retention: 
Various COALS programs will assist college students to remain in college.  To continue making strides in improving underrepresented student enrollment, COALS retention numbers must improve by providing students with academic support for success.  Elimination of “back-door loss” is essential.  The following programs have been instrumental to our success:

• Superior Academic Advising - Academic advisors are instrumental in keeping students in school.  The academic advisors in COALS are repeatedly rated by undergraduate students at Texas A&M University as some of the best on campus.   

• Agriculture and Life Sciences (AGLS) Program - An academic program developed to assist students who have been unable to enter or remain in their major.  The program is designed to provide an enrollment extension in which students make-up enough grade points to become eligible to gain entry into a desired major in the College.  The Office of Academic Programs in COALS administers the program.

• COALS Community – A comprehensive learning community in which Regent’s Scholars will be advised by their academic advisors in their departments and enrolled in specific courses.  Regents Scholars are partnered with members of the COALS Student Council.

• Texas A&M University AgForLife Student Association – AFLSA is housed in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and is instrumental in providing students with a sense of community within the A&M community.  Students help each other by networking and forming study groups. 

Student Development: 
COALS not only challenges their students academically, but assist in their human development.  To support this, the following opportunities exist:  

• Internships/Cooperative Education:  The “other education” is emphasized in the College and students are encouraged to obtain practical career development through work experience.  Internships and cooperative education allow for development of improved self-esteem and confidence, work experience and general knowledge about the work place.

• International:  Students thirsting to learn or work with other cultures are encouraged to pursue study abroad programs in other countries.  Students can learn about the different cultural practices as well as the broad agricultural arena.  Students return with a new appreciation for cultural differences as well as global opportunities.
  
  
• Leadership:  Leadership development through participation in student organizations help students develop goals, social skills, improve written and oral communication, learn to work in groups and learn time management skills.
  
  

Professional Development:

Early Professional Career:
COALS shares a commitment to provide the tools and linkage necessary for our graduates to exceed employment requirements in the corporate or entrepreneurial environment.  We provide support by working with corporations to present entry-level career options and opportunities.  

• AgForLife Map – This concept was developed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University to help educate the general public about the awesome opportunities in agriculture, food and life sciences.  For information on the concept, log on to:  http://agforlife.com.

• Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Training Conference - This opportunity provides the students in the AFLSA the needed skills and development to be successful in the workplace.  This training will give participating AFLSA members the advantage when searching for internships and permanent placement by networking with industry professionals from across the country.

• Career Services – The Academic Dean’s Office provides a Career Services Representative for advising and counseling students on career and placement opportunities in the agriculture, food and life sciences sector.