ANR Education and Communication Systems Funding Priorities

The Department of ANR Education and Communication Systems is in the process of joining in a strategic integration with the departments of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources, Resource Development and the Michigan Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center. The new department will align with the CANR Strategic Program Priorities and offer enhanced programs of teaching, research and extension.

Glassbrook FFA Endowment endowmentsMonies generated would increase the already existing endowment. The goals of this endowment are twofold: to provide every Michigan citizen with a basic understanding of the food, fiber and natural resources segments of our economy and to train youth for successful careers in the food, fiber and natural resources fields. To meet these goals, the Glassbrook FFA Endowment will enhance the formal and or informal academic preparation of the Michigan students and teachers by supporting educational programs in such areas as (but not limited to): curriculum development, teacher in-service and pre-service training, FFA chapter growth and development, youth leadership and career planning.

Undergraduate Scholarship EndowmentThis initiative will focus on the recruitment of top quality students into the Agriscience and ANR Communication majors. There is currently a statewide shortage of agriscience teachers and a nationwide shortage of qualified professionals with the proper technological skills in agricultural communications. The challenge is to communicate this need to interested students and entice them to consider our program. We find many interested students but financial need becomes a major consideration when choosing an educational program. Scholarships can take the form of four-year guaranteed scholarships, annual stipends for tuition, and scholarships for study abroad.

Advanced Technology Learning CenterFrom the time students first enter the major, they will work with faculty members and skilled professional communications and computer staff members to learn and apply skills ranging from written/graphic communication and video/audio production to CD-ROM and Web site development to communications planning and market/evaluation research - within a holistic, information systems theoretical framework. By their senior year, students will work collaboratively with professionals to deliver communications and technology-related services to key CANR constituent groups. An Advanced Technology Learning Center, in conjunction with the revised ANR Communications major, is corollary to and consonant with the Guiding Principles of Access to Quality Education and Expert Knowledge (implementing the Technology Guarantee to ensure that students have access to, and training in, the information technologies necessary for success in today's and tomorrow's world). With such a laboratory students would have access to computer-based learning tools that have already fundamentally altered how they seek, gather and interpret information. As a result, students will be able to develop information-seeking, problem-solving, critical thinking skills that will enable them to make maximum use of the increasingly powerful technological resources they will have at their disposal.

Graduate Research Assistantship EndowmentGraduate students are an integral part of the Department's research effectiveness. This endowment would allow the Department to recruit two research assistants to work on our distance learning and evaluative studies initiatives.

Undergraduate Assistantship EndowmentAn Undergraduate Assistantship Endowment in conjunction with the revised ANR Communications major is corollary to and consonant with the Guiding Principles of Active Learning (improving the intensity of the academic environment by stimulating a more pervasive concern for learning beyond the classroom and encouraging more regular and serious engagement of students and faculty, . and increasing numbers of undergraduates participating directly with faculty in research or outreach projects). This type of endowment would allow our juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain these real life experiences and provide valuable assistance to all areas within the department.