central valley scholars program

2014-15 YEAR IN REVIEW

Central Valley Scholars Anna Haller and Casey Erickson

were chosen to participate in the Agriculture Future of

America (AFA) Crop Science Institute, to be held July 19-

21, 2015 in Central Iowa. The AFA Crop Science Institute

brings up to 75 talented college men and women

together to take part in a three-day program. Anna and

Casey were selected through a competitive application

process among students nationwide, and will be

exposed to numerous aspects of the crop and soil

sciences sector.

Founded in 1996, the AFA offers leader and career

development training for college men and women

pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. AFA

men and women share the belief that the production,

processing and distribution of food and fiber, with

support for agriculture business services, are vital for

our nations economy, both now and in the future. These men and women share three

characteristics they are talented, passionate and committed to a career in agriculture.

Scholars Attend the AFA Crop Science Institute

CVSP Recognized by Carnegie Foundation

In January 2015, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized UC Davis among those

colleges and universities to receive the 2015 Community Engagement Classification. This classification, held by only

361 institutions nationally and 33 institutions statewide, affirms the importance of community engagement and

collaboration between institutions and communities for mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources.

The Foundation cited, as an example, the Central Valley Scholars Program for its collaborative effort between

businesses and UC Davis to provide scholarships to help Central Valley youths attend UC Davis and offering

mentoring, professional networks and internships in the valley to bolster its workforce.

The Central Valley

Scholars Program

(CVSP) is a partnership

between Central

Valley leaders and UC

Davis to attract and

prepare a pool of

talented and enter-

prising young people

to live and work in the

Central Valley after

graduation. Estab-

lished by the Chuck

Nichols Family in June

2013, the CVSP uses

scholarships, intern-

ships, mentoring and

network opportunities

in an innovative and

integrated approach

to achieve this vision.

CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Scholar News

Amanjot Kaur, Livingston, California Nichols Family Scholar Amanjot is a junior majoring in Biotechnology and International Agriculture Development with a goal to one day be a cooperative voice between farmers and the government. Amanjot received the Premier Leader award at this years Aggie Ambassadors end of year banquet, and was a delegate at the November 2014 Agricultural Future of America Leaders Conference in Missouri.

Casey Erickson, Porterville, California Casey is a senior majoring in Plant Science with a career goal of being a farm manager living and working in the Central Valley. Casey will complete an internship at Gowan Chemical Company this summer working as a sales assistant for a territory that stretches from Livingston to Sacramento. Casey will attend the AFA Crop Science Institute in July in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lauren Brackett, Clovis, California White Family Scholar Lauren is a sophomore majoring in Animal Science and Management. Lauren worked in the swine barn this past year, with her pig Will earning first place in her species class. Lauren also won Reserve Grand Champion after showing cattle, horses, sheep and goats in her class competitions. This year, Lauren hopes to work at the MIND Institute to further explore the correlation between Autism and air pollution in the Central Valley.

Maria Zumkeller, Kingsburg, California Maria is a sophomore majoring in Plant Sciences with hopes to combine her love for agricultural sciences with education through Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems major. Maria is currently interning at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in the Central Valley under the UC Davis Department of Viticulture where she is gaining experience incorporating sustainable agriculture with viticulture and enology practices.

Anna Haller, Santa Paula, California Ag-Wise Enterprises Scholar Anna is a senior majoring in Agriculture and Environmental Education with a career goal of teaching agriculture in the Central Valley. Anna will complete an internship this summer at Sun Pacific. In her internship she works with a team to develop an app for growers, evaluates irrigation systems in kiwifruit farms and helps with crop estimates.


Max Beal 14, Bakersfield, California Nichols Family Scholar Max graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a specialization in livestock and dairy. Before graduating from UC Davis, Max completed an internship at Westside Veterinary Services in Los Banos. Max is currently enrolled in veterinarian school at Kansas State University.

Sydney Westbrook 14, Dos Palos, California Nichols Family Scholar Sydney graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a specialization in livestock and dairy. Before graduating from UC Davis, Sydney completed an intern-ship at Dr. Nancy Martins Veterinarian Clinic in Vacaville, and is currently employed at Westside Veterinary Clinic in Los Banos and at Dr. LeTourneaus Vet Clinic in Madera. Sydney will begin veterinarian school at UC Davis this Fall.

Maile Frelinger 14, Bakersfield, California Nichols Family Scholar Maile graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Managerial and Agricultural Economics. Before graduating from UC Davis, Maile completed an internship at Sunview Vineyards in Delano where she learned the fundamentals of table grape production, marketing and domestic and export sales. Maile now has a job with Wonderful Citrus, a global citrus and nut production company with operations in the Central Valley.

Alumni Updates

Alison King 14, Atwater, California Nichols Family Scholar Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Before graduating from UC Davis, Alison completed an internship at Lander Veterinarian Clinic in Turlock. Alison is currently enrolled in veterinarian school at Washington State University.


Focus On: Casey Erickson Central Valley Scholar Participant

The transition from the small town of Porterville,

California to university life was a bit of a shock for

Casey Erickson 15. UC Davis was a more rigorous

environment than he was used to, where work

and play needed to be more masterfully bal-

anced. But right away, Casey saw the benefit of

coming to such a diverse and connected universi-

ty. He quickly networked with professionals in his

field plant sciences and crop production and

outside his field in other areas of agriculture and

beyond.

A newcomer to the Central Valley Scholars Program,

Casey wishes he had discovered it sooner. He loves the

manifold opportunities to connect with people with

determination and big ideas to invest in students in the

Central Valley.

At a CVS luncheon, he had a conversation with UC

Davis alum and CVS founder Chuck Nichols 83, 84,

who has championed UC Davis efforts to reinforce

agricultural and veterinary developments in the

Central Valley.

UC Davis was a completely new experience, Casey

said. That was very intimidating, going into it. I came

to a new place where I didnt know anybody and no

one knew me, and now I have such an expanded

network and valuable friendships that wouldnt have

happened anywhere else.

Casey Erickson

Class of 2015

I am incredibly grateful to be a Central Valley Scholar and participate in the networking opportunities. The program helped me secure an internship that I know will help me achieve my goal of becoming a farm manager living and working in the Central Valley.

Internship and Employer News


In August of 2014, the UC Davis Internship and Career Center staff conducted a workshop for Central Valley

employers on how to use internships as a recruitment tool for future employees. More than 30 employer represent-

atives attended the workshop and learned about UC Davis and its investments in the Central Valley. Participating on

a panel addressing internship best practices were executives from Sunview Vineyards, Farm Credit West and J.G.

Boswell Company. UC Davis graduate, Maile Frelinger, from Wonderful Citrus also joined the panel to provide a

students perspective on internship experiences that are beneficial to career development.

At the conclusion of the workshop, an open discussion was facilitated to identify

the challenges and solutions to recruiting and retaining top talent in the

Central Valley. Strategies identified included the following:

Strengthen a sense of community for millennial interns and employees by

connecting them through regional meetings for interns from multiple compa-

nies, social events with the alumni association and encouraging participation

in professional organizations like Young Farmers and Ranchers.

Increase awareness of the innovative and global reach of todays agricultural

careers through information sessions and company tours for high school and

college students, offering paid internships, and greater visibility and engage-

ment in college career center programs.

Enhancing the pipeline of individuals interested in ag careers through early

outreach with K-12 programs, job shadowing for high school students, and

educational programs for employee families.

Increasing interest and access to higher education for Central Valley students

through scholarships, internships, business and educational partnerships.

Central Valley Internship Workshop

Central Valley Employers at UC Davis Career Fair

The Internship and Career Center is expanding its

Central Valley business networks to increase intern-

ship opportunities in the Central Valley. Both Fall

and Winter Career Fairs saw increased participation

by Central Valley companies, who also used the

opportunity to interview prospective interns and

employees. New companies to the UC Davis Career

Fair include Olam International, J.G. Boswell

Company, Nichols Farm, Simplot, Delicato Family

Vineyards and Turlock Irrigation District. Visit: icc.ucdavis.edu/employer/career

We extend our sincere thanks and

appreciation to Chuck and Susie

Nichols for hosting the workshop at

their training facility at

Nichols Farm.

Growing Interest in the Central Valley


UC Davis Sees Increase in 2015-16 Applications

A key strategy to fulfill workforce needs in the

Central Valley is to increase educational attainment,

campus outreach, and affordable access to higher

education for the youth of the Central Valley.

Through its multiple programs and partnerships with

local businesses and educational institutions, UC

Davis has increased interest and awareness in the

CVSP and other educational opportunities.

The Central Valley Scholars Program received

more than 50 applications from freshmen, trans-

fer and continuing students for the 2015-16 academic year, an increase from 15 applicants in 2014-15.

The number of applications to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) is up 8 per-

cent compared to last year. Among the reasons cited is the targeted recruitment effort by UC Davis in the

Central Valley and greater awareness of the highly employable skills achieved with degrees in the biologi-

cal, environmental and agricultural sciences offered by the CA&ES.

Overall applications from Central Valley students have increased by seven percent over the previous

two years.

Undergraduate Admissions has invested in two full time Rural Outreach recruitment staff who are devel-

oping relationships and outreach programs with school districts, community colleges and community part-

ners in the Central Valley and other rural areas of California. Outreach programs this last year included 86

activities ranging from high school presentations, college fairs, and Admissions sponsored events that con-

nected UC Davis staff with over 4,800 students in the Central Valley.

Presentations on the Central Valley Scholars Program were offered to several student groups on campus

visits including the FARMS Leadership Program from the Center for Land-Based Learning in Fresno, and the

Paramount Agriculture Careers Academy from Avenal High School.

UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions participated in the College NEXT Bootcamp offered through the Con-

sortium for Higher Education, which brings in students from the entire central valley to participate in a

weekend dedicated to preparing them for college.


The Central Valley Scholars Program has made many things possible for me over the past year. I am able to focus on my classwork without having to worry about money issues. I was also able to secure an internship within the Central Valley and participate in several workshops across the nation. I could not imagine my schooling without this program.

Anna Haller, Ag-Wise Enterprises Scholar

Thank you!

The Central Valley Scholars Program receives financial support

for the scholarships, internships and program administration

through the generous investment by individuals and companies. UC Davis would like to recognize and thank our 2014-15 contributors:

Nichols Family Donna and Jerry White

Ag-Wise Enterprises Greg and Jean Burke

Maile Frelinger - Wonderful Company

For more information on how you

can get involved in the Central Valley Scholars Program, contact

Cynthia Spiro, Director of Development at 530-752-4703 or

[email protected]

central valley scholars program

Documents