UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Derek Serrano arrived at Penn State’s University Park campus from Philadelphia as a first-year student, he was navigating more than a new academic environment. He also was beginning to figure out what he wanted his future to look like.
Serrano, a second-year student majoring in veterinary and biomedical sciences, has found coaching, community and resource support through the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Ag Access Scholars program, which has helped him make that transition and think more clearly about his goals, he said.
“My experience as an Ag Access Scholar is having a tremendous impact on me,” Serrano said. “Through Ag Access Scholars, I’ve gained resources and relationships that are helping me see my vision more clearly. I’m exploring career opportunities that build on my veterinary knowledge and practical experience.”
The Ag Access Scholars program, through the college’s Office of Access and Equity, is led by Milton Newberry III, director of student advocacy and access programs, and currently serves more than 50 students, most of whom have received scholarships from the University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, Office of Scholars Programs.
Students receive personalized coaching and guidance, participate in group and one-on-one meetings, receive weekly communications on academic resources and career-readiness opportunities, attend monthly lunches, and access tutoring in a small, friendly environment.
“Programs such as this are so important because students are adjusting to much more than academics when they come to college,” said Laura Leites, assistant dean for access and equity. “Having a place where they can find support, build relationships and connect with people who understand what they’re experiencing can make a real difference in their sense of belonging and their academic success.”
For Serrano, the relationships he has developed through the program have been among its most valuable benefits.
“The most meaningful impact of the program has to be the people that I can meet and converse with,” said Serrano, who serves as a delegate for the Penn State Chapter of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences), where he connects with others interested in agriculture and related fields. “Their knowledge and wisdom are the biggest advantages to anyone in the college.”
Ag Access Scholars also connects students with opportunities beyond the college. Students can receive guidance in pursuing leadership and professional development opportunities, building professional networks, and taking advantage of resources throughout Penn State.
To support students receiving scholarships, the Ag Access Scholars program works in collaboration with the Office of Scholars Programs. The partnership creates a broader support network that helps students build connections and succeed inside and outside the classroom, said Morgan Okello, senior director of the Office of Scholars Programs.
“I believe one of the greatest benefits of the Ag Access Scholars is the opportunities it provides and the community of people who are invested in students’ success,” she said. “Academically, the program helps students explore their interests, build relationships within their field and prepare for their future careers. Personally, it creates a sense of belonging, helping students see the possibilities ahead of them and know they have people in their corner who want to see them succeed.”
While many students in the Ag Access Scholars program receive scholarships through the Office of Scholars Programs, scholarship support is not required to participate. Leites and Newberry encourage any student in the College of Agricultural Sciences who could benefit from the program’s support, resources and community to reach out and discover how Ag Access can help them thrive.
Interested students can contact Newberry at mgn105@psu.edu for more information.