TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has announced the selection of Harriett A. Paul, director of International Agricultural Programs at Florida A&M University (FAMU), as one of the agency’s 2008 Faculty Fellows.
The purpose of the USDA-FAS Faculty Fellowship is to increase the flow of information and outreach to minority-serving, higher education institutions that prepare future potential employees for international agricultural related activities and industries. The Faculty Fellow is expected to take the knowledge and experience gained back to faculty and students at the home institution to enhance their understanding of FAS and the role the agency plays in international agriculture.
Paul, a graduate of FAMU, will begin the two-week fellowship on June 30, 2008, and will be stationed in Washington, D.C. She has had extensive experience working with USDA programs focused on trade promotion in emerging markets. She has also served on the USDA-FAS Emerging Markets Advisory Committee (2001-2006). The general mission of the Committee is to make recommendations on policies and programs, which will enhance agricultural exports to emerging markets through the use of Emerging Markets Program authority.
Paul sees the new opportunity as a viable method of strengthening the university’s ability to prepare students for a global workforce.
“I am committed to utilizing the benefits of this fellowship to work with our faculty and students to enhance our access to FAS programs,” said Paul. “It will also help create more relevant curricula within the FAMU College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA) and increase opportunities for international student experiential learning.”
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