Research Apprenticeship Program offers virtual summer research experience

Thirteen high school students with an interest in agriculture and science were recognized at the closing of this year’s Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

RAP is a two-week long program through the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences that invites rising high school juniors and seniors to undergo training and perform research activities with college faculty. Student participants were recognized and reflected on their experience in a closing ceremony on July 1.

Shirley Hymon-Parker, Ph.D., former associate dean for research, said the program is designed to be a recruitment initiative that introduces students to careers in the agricultural sciences, engage them in research and a sampling of college life.

This is the second year the program was held virtually due primarily to COVID.

“We know that you had many choices, but you chose to spend your summer with us,” said Antoine Alston, Ph.D., professor of agricultural education and associate dean of academic studies. “It’s been truly an honor and a privilege to have you with us. We hope that you’ve learned a lot from the RAP program and that we’ve encouraged you to become Aggies, whether it’s next year or in two years if you arrived as a junior.”

During the two-week period in late June, students in the RAP program learned to conduct research under the direction of college faculty and became familiar with the college’s ongoing projects, ranging from animal sciences, biological engineering, pesticide studies, biotechnology and horticulture, food and nutrition, air quality, aging in place and international trade. At the closing ceremony, each participant offered an eight-minute overview of what they learned during the two-week period as well as their college and professional goals.

“The capital and personal investment in meeting our mission here at A&T will help you enrich your future,” said Goins in his closing remarks, “and with that richness and innovation, cutting-edge technology, and delivery of educational programming that you get here will have a practical side to it, applications like you have all talked about. It’s going to enrich the lives of your communities, the land and economies of your state and the nation, particularly in the era of climate change, food challenges and a hungry planet as we look toward population growth by the year 2050.”

Upon graduating from high school and enrolling into a college program, students will receive a $1,000 scholarship during the first and second semesters of their freshman year.

The 2022 RAP program was held virtually June 20-July1, drawing students from across the country.

This year’s RAP participants include:

• Ashton Charles, Junior, Family & Consumer Sciences
• Ellis Charles, Junior, Family & Consumer Sciences
• Aminah Coleman, Senior, Natural Resources and Environmental Design
• Taylor Connor, Senior, Animal Sciences
• Destiny Crayton, Junior, Natural Resources and Environmental Design
• Dawn Earles, Senior, Animal Sciences
• Nicholas Fedders, Senior, Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education
• Kye Harris, Senior, Natural Resources and Environmental Design
• Malakhi Hicks, Junior, Natural Resources and Environmental Design
• Jillian Jackson, Senior, Animal Sciences
• Xavier Johnson, Senior, Family and Consumer Sciences
• Natasha Lee, Junior, Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education
• Marlon Martin, Junior, Animal Sciences