Encompass Scholars Program: A Successful 2022–2023 Year!

The 2022–2023 Encompass Scholars Program brought together a group of diverse scholars and built on the 2021–2022 program. The program, which is generously sponsored by Bayer Crop Sciences, creates a robust experience that connects students, science, and mentorship—both at the Annual Meeting and beyond. The Fellows program grew by two Fellows, and an additional 10 Scholars were added.

Two Levels of Scholarship

Fellows

The Fellows program nominations were open to graduate students and post-docs who are either near the end of their programs or within two years of graduation and are seeking employment in the agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental science fields. Applicants provided a statement of the impact this program would have on their career development, a list of leadership positions they held, a statement on change needed to improve DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in their scientific field, and one reference letter. Applicants must have been presenting at the Annual Meeting, and preference was given to candidates from under-served groups. The Fellow award was highly competitive with more than 55 students and post-doc applicants.

The experience of Fellows was immersive, and recipients participated in a welcome webinar and networking opportunities; received membership renewals and reimbursement for Annual Meeting registration and travel expenses; and attended the Graduate Student Leadership Conference and Science Policy Lunch. In addition, they each were provided a mentor for one year as well as the opportunity to participate in Congressional Visits Day (held in-person in Washington, DC, 27–28 February).
 

Scholars

The Scholars program focused on virtual opportunities, nominations were open to both undergraduate and graduate students, and membership was not a requirement. Applicants provided a statement of impact, and preference was given to candidates in under-served groups. Recipients received a new membership (or renewal) and participation in the webinar series for career development. In addition, in a collaboration with the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), students were able to request membership in MANRRS.

This spring, both the Fellows and Scholars participated in a webinar series focusing on soft skills, leadership, and DEI education. Webinars included:

• Strengths Finder Training (including a self-assessment) with facilitator Libby Jenkins, Bayer
• Crop Science
• Developing Cultural Intelligence with speaker Felicity Menzies, Include-Empower Consultant
• Telling Your Story with speaker Masha Trenhaile, Bayer Crop Science
• Transitioning to the Workforce with a panel discussion featuring Debankur Sanyal, Henry Sintim, Anna Rogers, and Rachel Seman-Varner

Congratulations to all Fellows and Scholars!