Robert N. Corley III, Ph. D., who served as the Interim Dean and 1890 Extension Administrator of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University after the retirement of M. Ray McKinnie, Ph. D., in June 2022, has been formally appointed to the position effective immediately.   

As a senior-level professional, Shambley will serve as a member of the COA leadership team and oversee the development and implementation of innovative, integrated marketing strategies and branding efforts that effectively communicate the immense value and tremendous opportunities COA provides.

Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, former Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has returned to Virginia State University (VSU) after five years to assume the role of senior advisor to the Dean for land-grant Initiatives at the College of Agriculture.

Dr. Bronaugh's homecoming signifies a pivotal moment for the university as she leverages her immense expertise to advance the strategic goals of strengthening partnerships and cultivating the next generation of leaders by executing the vision of leading a new center of transformational leadership and community impact.

Virginia State University (VSU) was selected by the Biden-Harris administration as one of eight 1890 Historically Black Land-grant institutions to help strengthen the United States food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) workforce. 

"With the support of the USDA and our collaborative partners, we will provide our students with unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning, professional development, and international engagement. Through this program, we are cultivating the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals who will make significant contributions to the field and address the evolving challenges of our global food system," said Dr. Robert N. Corley, III, Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture and 1890 Administrator at Virginia State University. 

The Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP), a part of Virginia Cooperative Extension administered by the  Virginia State University College of Agriculture, is the recipient of nearly $4 million in grants and sub-awards to help battle food insecurity by bridging the gap between urban farmers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The nearly half-million-dollar grant will support the diversification and expansion of soybean crops throughout the region.

On March 22, amid National Agriculture week, Virginia State University College of Agriculture hosted agriculture-awareness events on campus celebrating food, fiber, and well-being while dispelling misconceptions about the industry and expounding on the need for minority students to become involved in Virginia's number one industry. 

"The VSU College of Agriculture helped me with my ability to confront unexpected problems. I know to keep a level head and to prepare for the unexpected," said Bigelow. "My goal is to work for the USDA or to go into education to help spread agriculture into the classroom. It seems that the art of agriculture is dying, or the knowledge is very limited. I wish to help spread agriculture in a positive way."

VSU College of Agriculture Hospitality Management Department hosted over 100 participants on Friday for the 2023 National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) to advance students’ insights and career opportunities within the industry.  

“Miles J. Jones Elementary School is thrilled about its upcoming partnership with VSU College of Agriculture and the Small Farm Outreach Program,” said Sonya Shaw, principal of Miles J. Jones Elementary School.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Virginia State University partnered with Chesterfield County and HandsOn Greater Richmond Community Foundation to host a "Day On, Not a Day Off" of service in Ettrick, Virginia.