At the Marilyn Magaram Center, CSUN, we are dedicated to enhancing the skills, knowledge, and career growth of USDA employees through comprehensive training and development programs. Our 2023-2026 initiatives are designed to support professional growth, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in the agriculture sector.
Project Objectives
- Attract and support students from underrepresented groups to prepare them for food and agriculture careers.
- Increase the number of underrepresented students at LAMC who complete the "Nutrition and Food Skills Certificate of Achievement"
- Provide information and access to food, agricultural and related careers through collaboration with the USDA FNS, FSIS, and WIC as well as job placement in the field of nutrition with a community partner.
- Increase enrollment in and completion of the Associate of Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree in nutrition and dietetics among underrepresented students at LAMC.
Project Location and Population
 |  |  |
Target Population
Undergraduate students currently enrolled at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) are selected as "fellows" based on:
- Need (being in underrepresented group and/or financial hardship);
- Achievement (past academic, extracurricular activity, and/or work performance);
- Personal statement (motivation and commitment to career in nutrition/foods).
Locations:
- CSUN
- LAMC
- Local High Schools
- Virtual (Zoom)
USDA Ambassadors
 Executive Director Annette Besnilian |  Assistant Director Jenica Smith |  Pathways Graduate Student Coordinator Emely Ordoñez |
|
The Agricultural Workforce Training at Community Colleges (AWT) program, part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, aims to cultivate a skilled workforce tailored for both practical fieldwork and career roles within the food and agricultural industry. By fostering the creation of new training programs or enhancing existing ones at community, junior, and technical colleges, this initiative seeks to broaden access to hands-on learning experiences, facilitate the attainment of industry-recognized certifications, and nurture the development of essential occupational skills. Ultimately, the program endeavors to equip students with the competencies needed to thrive in today's job market, ensuring a proficient and adaptable labor force for the modern era.
Get Involved
To learn more about our programs or to participate in upcoming events, please contact us at magaram.center@csun.edu
USDA Acknowledgement
This work is supported by Nutrition and Food Workforce Pathways for Underrepresented Students [grant no. 2023-67037-40097] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.