A follow up of Alcorn State University 1982-1986 agricultural baccalaureate degree graduates

This study described the Department of Agriculture at Alcorn State University (ASU) as perceived by the agricultural baccalaureate degree graduates. Additionally, the study established a biographic and demographic data bank of these graduates for future reference and use by the Department. A descriptive research design was used for the study. The total population for the study was the 160 graduates from all agricultural program areas at ASU from 1982-1986. Data was collected by a questionnaire developed by the researcher with assistance from two review panels. Mailed instruments were returned by 102 graduates representing a 64% response rate. Data were summarized by frequency distributions, percentages, measures of central tendency and measures of variability as appropriate for each variable item. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System computer package at ASU.

The following major conclusions were reached: (1) the graduates perceived the faculty as being effective in the Department of Agriculture at ASU, (2) graduates perceived that certain curricula in the Department were less than adequate, especially that the number of semester hours in communication skills and agricultural engineering courses needed increasing, (3) the graduates perceived the facilities in the department as insufficient and that additional intern training centers are needed, {4) graduates reported little participation in professional and civic activities, (5) graduates were willing to participate in recruitment for the department, and (6) most graduates were currently employed.

Major recommendations made were: (1) strategies be developed to improve communications with agricultural agencies and industries, (2) the Department of Agriculture closely review the current curriculum to determine how communication, agricultural engineering and computer skills could better be integrated into the undergraduate curriculum, (3) agricultural graduates be contacted to assist in locating appropriate off-campus training centers for student internships, and (4) each program area of the Department needs to further analyze the data collected from the graduates to assist in making programmatic improvement.