Abstract
One of the ways to increase minority participation in nutrition and agricultural sciences is to recruit, retain and mentor diverse populations in college and beyond. The UMass Health and Nutrition Diversity Scholars Program (HANDS) was designed to recruit and mentor university nutrition majors from underrepresented groups. From 2005-11, we recruited 14 Scholars into this USDA funded scholarship program. Recruitment activities included a website, blog, promotion in residence halls, class presentations and referrals from campus advisors and multicultural program support staff. Weekly Scholars Seminars included academic development, mentorship, professional development, and community service activities, plus addressed culture, health disparities and nutrition research. The number of underrepresented nutrition majors in the university grew from 14 in 2005 to 32 in 2011. Overall, most Scholars were very satisfied with HANDS, and all found the Scholars Seminar to be at least somewhat useful. Qualitative data indicated that HANDS helped students become exposed to the profession and post-graduation opportunities, but Scholars requested additional professional development activities and field trips. Scholars also remarked on the academic skills they developed. Institutional changes as a result of HANDS included ongoing collaboration for recruitment and support among campus advisors and multicultural student affairs offices, and program continuation beyond the grant-funded period.
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