Iowa State Takes a Broad View of Agriculture

The office provides information and training on topics related to diversity awareness and enhancement, and activities for all students faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture, with an emphasis on supporting minority/students of color. We also offer a variety of services and programs designed to enhance and expand the educational and professional opportunities for minority/students of color. The office collaborates with a number of university academic and non-academic units, national, campus and community organizations in implementing programs and initiatives.

Our goal is to recruit U.S. domestic minority/ students of color to the College of Agriculture and ensure their success while at Iowa State University. This includes initiatives and collaborative efforts designed to increase retention and promote greater opportunities for academic success and achievement. Activities include: personal advising, mentoring, and providing seminars on academic, career, personal, financial and diversity topics.

The office coordinates the George Washington Carver Internship Program for undergraduate and high school students. For six - eight weeks students are matched with faculty mentors and have the opportunity to conduct research in areas that interest them. Students receive a stipend, room and board and round-trip travel to Iowa State Universityas an undergraduate intern. High school students must arrange their own travel to ISU. Please complete an application, if you are interested. Applications are due in early March, selections are announced by late April and the internship runs from early June to late July each year. To participate, interns must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent resident and be a current undergraduate student at an institution other than Iowa State University.

George Washington Carver Internship Program Flyer

George Washington Carver Internship Program Brochure

Application deadline extended to March 1

How you can get involved?
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources & Related Sciences ( MANRRS ) ISU Chapter was organized in 1991. MANRRS has more than 1300 members enrolled at universities across the United States. The members of the ISU Chapter hosted the 1996 regional conference. The College of Agriculture hosted its national conference in 1998 and 2004.

What is an MLO?
Each of the seven academic colleges at Iowa State University has a Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO). Nina Grant , the director of Ag Multicultural Programs, serves as the College of Agriculture's MLO. As the MLO, Nina is available to help minority/students of color within the College of Agriculture access the opportunities available to become their personal and academic best. The MLO acts as an advocate for minority students/students of color in the college and a resource for all students in the college. The MLO is familiar with the special needs of minority/students of color on a predominantly White campus as well as techniques and skills that can enable one to enhance their diversity awareness.

Commitment to Diversity
The College of Agriculture at Iowa State University is committed to a comprehensive diversity program focusing on undergraduate and graduate programs, outreach and extension, and research. Initiatives include: Experiment Station Minority Graduate Research Assistantship Match, Faculty Research Exchange Visits, Strengthening Linkages with 1890 and 1994 land-grant universities. In addition to these initiatives, there is a Diversity Committee, comprised of members of the College of Agriculture Administration and faculty representatives from each department within the college. The mission of this committee is to support ethnic diversity in the College of Agriculture by increasing the number of minority/students of color recruited and assisting in their advancement.

For more information about our services, call, e-mail or stop by our office in 23 Curtiss.

Aurelio Curbelo, Director,(515) 294-1701

Office fax: (515) 294-2844