Term of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership (Dr.P.H.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Committee Chair
Joanne Chopak-Foss
Committee Member 1
Helen Bland
Committee Member 2
Linda Kimsey
Abstract
This study evaluated a six-week enriched agricultural education curriculum on African American students’ knowledge and perceptions of agriculture and agricultural careers in two selected populations. The study aimed to expand awareness about agriculture and diverse agricultural career opportunities in an effort to reduce perceived stereotypes. The study employed a pre-post-test design, implemented at one middle school and one high school that were intentionally selected based on their population demographics. Participants included 108 students across both schools, with the majority identifying as African American. Data analysis included paired-sample t-tests and One-Way ANOVAs and revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge for middle school students compared to high school students. Sociodemographic factors such as gender and farm residency were significant for pre-test scores, but were not significant for the post-test scores. Student perceptions of agriculture and agricultural careers also improved following curriculum implementation with middle school students indicating more favorable perceptions than high school students, and school level was a significant factor influencing both pre- and post-test perception scores. The evaluation of the individual modules was mostly positive on items related to the implementation of the curriculum and highest for the instructor and the curriculum content. Students’
The program showed promise in increasing knowledge about aspects of the field of agriculture and shifting perceptions, especially among middle schoolers. Overall, the study highlighted that this curriculum that was enriched with career information on agriculture is age-appropriate can be one strategy to increase diversity in agricultural related fields.
OCLC Number
1523074403
Catalog Permalink
https://galileo-georgiasouthern.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01GALI_GASOUTH/1r4bu70/alma9916622536202950
Recommended Citation
Prince, Brittany M., "Perceptions of Agricultural Careers in African American School-Age Students Implications for Public Health Workforce" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2947.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/2947
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
