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The broad goals of the proposed program, Pathways to Public Health, are: <OL><LI> to increase the number of graduates with a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences<LI> to increase the quality of postsecondary instruction within these disciplines. </OL>The program features an innovative and integrated approach to recruitment and retention of students historically underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences workforce. Pathways to Public Health will inform students about career opportunities in public health-related professions while they attend classes at community college and will allow students to obtain early field experience in four public health emphasis areas relevant to food and agriculture. The program will also help students to transfer from community college to Kansas State University, and to pursue BS and MPH degrees. These goals will be supported by the design and delivery of: <OL> <LI> an introductory survey course focused on public health topics and offered jointly by K-State and three community college partners <LI> a summer residency experience that exposes students to the four public health emphasis areas: food safety, infectious disease and zoonoses, human nutrition, physical activity<LI> a 5-year BS/MPH program<LI> a Director of Undergraduate Public Health. </OL>Pathways to Public Health is expected to increase the quantity and quality of students seeking an MPH at Kansas State University. Overall strategies for assessing the effectiveness and impact of the new program will include formative and summative evaluations that draw on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This project will make community college students from diverse backgrounds aware of educational opportunities and careers in public health. The proposed programs create a pipeline, scholarships and a social network to support public health focused transfer students and undergraduates. <P>APPROACH: Five Objectives and the associated indicators and benchmarks appear below: <P>O1. Develop an introductory survey public health course delivered via distance education and available to both K-State and Kansas Community College(CC) students. <BR> Indicators: Faculty from both CCs and K-State; Project personnel; Public Health (PH) Professionals; Technical Staff (IT; Students from both CCs and K-State <BR>Methods: Document review; Interviews, focus groups, observation (on-line and/or video where possible; Attitudinal and satisfaction surveys <P>O2.Develop a summer immersion experience course that will expose students to the four public health emphasis areas associated with the K-State MPH program. <BR>Indicators: K-State Undergrads & MPH students; PH Researchers & Faculty; PH Professionals; Project personnel; SURPH Mentors <BR>Methods: Interview, focus groups, observation; Pre/post Self-efficacy instrument; Reflection assessments <P>O3. Develop a 5-year BS/MPH program. Establish curriculum requirements for each of the four public health emphasis areas. <BR>Indicators: Eligible Students; Academic Advisors; Faculty; Project personnel; MPH Researchers <BR>Methods: Pre/post Interviews; Focus groups; Observations; Program rubrics; Baseline data <P>O4. Develop & execute a recruitment and retention plan (RRP) with our community college partners.<BR> Indicators:K-State Undergrads & MPH students; PH Researchers & Faculty; Project personnel; SURPH Mentors <BR>Methods: Assess & document RRP process and strategies; Comparison data <P>O5. Establish connections at K-State and KS CC that serve students from underrepresented in food, agriculture and public health. <BR>Indicators: Students from both CCs and K-State; Project personnel; Faculty from both CCs and K-State Methods: Documentation; Collaboration inventory; On-line Surveys