The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has named Dr. Antonio McLaren one of 19 recipients of its inaugural 1890 Universities Career Exemplar Award. Dr. McLaren is a newly appointed National Program Leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, DC. He is responsible for managing and providing leadership for the 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program and the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program. Until September, Dr. McLaren served as the USDA/1890 Program Liaison at Virginia State University (VSU).
Dr. McLaren earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business/Economics in 2001, and his Master of Arts degree in Economics and Finance in 2003, both from VSU. From 2011 through this fall he worked as the USDA/1890 Program Liaison at VSU, where he assisted in increasing programmatic capacity for research, education, and extension programs by providing outreach to the VSU community, linking university faculty and staff to competitive grant opportunities, and recruiting students to study agriculture and related fields at VSU.
The recipients, distinguished alumni representing each of the 19 historically black land-grant universities, have achieved excellence in navigating their career pathway and providing mentorship to other traditionally underrepresented students pursuing similar career pathways. The awardees were nominated by their alma maters and evaluated on their commitment to institution, individual achievement, civic engagement and impact in providing access, opportunities and mentorship to current students and new alumni.
“The first class of 1890 Career Exemplar Awards recipients are a testament to the tremendous contributions 1890 institutions make to our society through their instruction, research and community engagement,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “These alumni have not only achieved success in their own careers, but worked with their alma maters and current students to serve the institutions that had such a formative influence on them.”
“The 1890 Career Exemplar Awards recipients reflect the broad diversity and great achievement of 1890 Universities and their alumni,” said Dr. RoSusan D. Bartee, Interim Vice President of Access and Success. “As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act, their stories remind us of the power of the 1890 land-grant community and the progress we can continue to drive through these institutions and their students.”
