Dr. Sam Rodriguez, assistant professor, Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education, attended a conference July 13 to 17 as part of the latest cohort of the E. Kika De La Garza Fellows Program in Washington D.C.

This program brought together honorees from Hispanic-Serving Institutions nationwide to explore how USDA services and programs can support their work, students and communities, and to collaborate with scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

The initiative is part of USDA’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program, which is committed to supporting workforce development opportunities for faculty, staff and students in the areas of agricultural, food, natural resources and human sciences.

Since its inception in 1998, the program has engaged faculty and staff affiliated with K-12 districts and universities that have a 25% or more Hispanic student enrollment.