A nearly $200,000 grant was awarded to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide scholarships for multicultural scholars and to engage, support, and mentor students in completing their undergraduate degrees. Associate Dean Cath Kleier led the effort to secure the grant. Faculty members who will participate include Erin Gorter, Samir Amin, Ann DeLay, and Moses Mike. Research indicates that students who are financially and academically supported have higher graduation rates than students who receive no support. While Cal Poly has several programs to support underrepresented students, Pell Grant recipients, and first-generation students, there is still an unmet need. The grant will be used to create a two-year mentorship program for students to work closely with a faculty member over that time. In addition to training faculty in best practices for mentorship, students in the program will also take one leadership course currently offered in the college.