Center for Agriculture and Food Science Director Uchenna Chukwu is only in her second month at Riverland Community College, but already she has big plans for the future of the agriculture program.

“It’s an opportunity to pioneer a new innovation center that spans both agriculture and all it’s related areas,” Chukwu said. “Food, biology, you name it, it covers it.”

Chukwu is leading a department with growth on the horizon. Thanks in part to a $263,200 grant Hormel Foundation grant, Riverland debuted six new ag-based programs at its Austin campus this fall, including precision agriculture, food science, food science technology, agricultural sciences, biotechnology and agribusiness. These programs join Riverland’s established Farm Business Management program, one of the college’s most popular programs, according to school leaders.

Chukwu hopes to be very involved this school year and is responsible for developing the program and curriculum of the new ag-based programs. She will also be heavily involved in student engagement.

“We really want to attract students who are interested in the ag-bio science area,” she said. “And also keep them in this industry for as long as they want to be here because of the new, exciting things that are in this industry.”

A big part of what Chukwu wants to do is work closely with business and industry to ensure students who graduate are at the level they seek from Riverland. She described her new job as “creating and building a globally recognized ag-bio science program that incorporates innovation and design thinking as part of it’s educational fiber.”

According to Chukwu, some of the ag program’s key lessons include application of technology to agriculture, food and biotechnology in order to enhance or improve food and energy production systems, as well as an emphasis in service lessons.

“There is a heavy emphasis on application, on experiential learning, on hands on training, and we’re just going to bring it into the 21st Century,” she said.

Another lesson students will learn is how to adapt to changing times, wants and needs from people with their food, along with changing climates.

“We already know that the generation of students who are coming in, they have the answers,” Chukwu said. “I think it’s more about organizing it in a way that can be deployed.”

Along with Riverland’s associate degrees, the programs will include opportunities for students to continue on to earn four-year degrees through a partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato for food science technology, biotechnology and agricultural science. A similar pathway for agronomy has been established with Southwest Minnesota State University and a pathway in agriculture teacher education is under development.

The expanded ag program follows a path set by Riverland’s 2013 strategic plan, dubbed “The Blueprint for Excellence,” which identified agriculture as a top priority over the years ahead and identified the Austin campus as the anchor site for the programs that will serve students across the region.

Chukwu received her Ph.D. in food science and lived in the Twin Cities for more than 20 years. She worked at General Mills as a product developer and food scientist for several years, working on foods like Gushers. She also worked in inventions and became a registered patent agent and has several patents of her own. She hopes to cultivate those skills in students through this program as well. When someone she knew called her several months ago to tell her about the changes with Riverland’s ag program, she got in touch with Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun to find out more and get involved.

“Dr. Chukwu brings private extensive agriculture and food science experience to her new position at Riverland,” Atewologun said in a press release. “As an innovative food scientist, we’re counting on Dr. Chukwu to lead Riverland’s vision for a best in class program that educates students to create innovative solutions to the world’s food and energy needs.”

Moving to the classroom, Chukwu isn’t nervous about talking with students, as she has been a mentor for students for a number of years, and still mentors some.

One of her biggest hopes is to see students succeed in whatever they set out to do, and enjoy the programs while learning and preparing for their futures.

“We really want to deliver an outstanding educational experience for our students,” Chukwu said. “Whether they’re working on a certificate, or wanting to go to a four-year university after this, we want them to have an amazing time here.”

Chukwu encouraged anyone thinking about joining this program to check it out.

“We’re just really excited about talking to (students) about this program and finding out what their professional goals are,” Chukwu said.

 

— Jason Schoonover contributed to this report.