A Professor's Journey into Agriculture Opportunities

Jenny Fisher, a biology professor at Indiana University Northwest, has been selected for a prestigious fellowship with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program, known as the E. Kika De La Garza science fellowship, aims to boost agricultural opportunities and support Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) like IUN. Fisher found out about this opportunity last fall through a former USDA employee. She applied in March and was thrilled to learn she had been chosen in May. The fellowship was initially put on hold due to government funding changes, but it was later reinstated, much to Fisher's relief. The E. Kika De La Garza program has three types of fellowships: education, high school education, and science. It is named after former U. S. Rep. Eligio "Kika" de La Garza of Texas. The program focuses on professional development, workforce development, and exposing faculty, staff, and students to various opportunities in the agricultural sector. IUN has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2020, with about 30% of its students being Hispanic or Latino. This designation opens up more grant funding and opportunities for the university. Through the fellowship, Fisher has traveled to Washington, D. C. , and Columbus to meet with USDA officials and collaborate in the department's Agricultural Research Service. Fisher has also connected with other educators in the program, which she finds helpful as she plans for the upcoming school year. She hopes to show her students the various career and internship opportunities available through the USDA and to help them appreciate the complexity and importance of agriculture in their lives. Through her work, Fisher wants students to understand that agriculture is more than just farming. It touches almost every aspect of their lives, and there are many facets to consider. She teaches her students about the intricacies of agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives.