Before enrolling in classes for fall 2019, a select group of 17 high school students and graduates will have work experience and $2,100 in their pocket from a summer employment program through Fort Valley State University.
They are participating in the TEAM Success Program sponsored by Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Extension Program this summer. TEAM is an acronym for Teaching, Enlightening, Achieving and Mentoring.
For six weeks, beginning June 3 and ending July 12, the students will shadow Extension personnel, county agents, and program assistants in 14 counties FVSU’s Cooperative Extension program services. County Extension agents and program assistants provide various services to youths, seniors, farmers and other members of the community. For the duration of the program, the students will assist Extension agents and program assistant in activities and projects in areas such as horticulture, food and nutrition, financial planning and 4-H youth activities.
“TEAM Success was developed to encourage high school juniors and seniors within the community to come to Fort Valley State University, learn about the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology and be enlightened on different careers in the agricultural field,” said Kena Torbert, family life specialist and coordinator of the TEAM Success Program. Torbert added that as employees of FVSU, TEAM Success participants will learn about job professionalism, develop contacts with community leaders and acquire skills needed to become productive citizens for the state of Georgia.
Kearis Ivey, a 2019 graduate of Crawford County High School, decided to participate in TEAM Success after hearing positive news about the program. She said she is looking forward to learning more about agriculture and meeting new people during her internship. Kearis said she plans to attend FVSU this fall and major in accounting.
To be selected for TEAM Success, the student must be entering the 11th or 12th grade or be a high school graduating senior. They must also live in one of 14 counties where an FVSU Cooperative Extension Program county agent or program assistant is based.
In addition, students must complete and submit an application, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.4, acquire three letters of recommendation, write an essay and submit the information through an online application process. Finally, the TEAM Success Selection Committee reviews, scores, and ranks each applicant based on the listed criteria.
For more information about the TEAM Success program, contact Kena Torbert at (478) 825-6573, or torbertk@fvsu.edu.