By Zekeya A. Harrison
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Through hands-on research, faculty mentorship, and immersive learning, the Tennessee State University College of Agriculture’s RANGE program is helping high school students discover that agriculture is far more than farming: it’s science, technology, and innovation.
The energy in the room was electric as students stepped up to the podium to explain weeks of scientific research. Just four weeks earlier, some of these rising high school juniors and seniors had never set foot inside a research laboratory. Standing before university leaders, faculty mentors, family, and friends at the RANGE Research Symposium, 24 scholars from seven states, including New York, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Tennessee, presented findings on soil health, water quality, animal science, and emerging agricultural technologies. Seven of those scholars will enroll at Tennessee State this fall.
Hosted by TSU’s 1890 Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management and supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA), the RANGE or Research and Applied Natural Resource Growth Experience is a four-week residential summer program. Scholars worked alongside TSU faculty and graduate student mentors on authentic research projects, gaining hands-on experience in genetic transformation, plant breeding, aerial drone phenotyping, molecular genetics, and DNA extraction. Learning extended beyond the lab with site visits to GenHunter for DNA sequencing, Mammoth Cave National Park, and local agricultural markets.
“When we developed RANGE, the vision was to create more than a summer program,” said Dr. De’Etra Young, associate dean for Academics and Land-Grant Programs. “We wanted to build an experience that allows students to see themselves in agriculture, research and STEM-related careers before they ever step foot on a college campus as freshmen. Many students have a very limited view of agriculture, and RANGE gives them a broader picture of the science, technology, innovation and problem-solving that are shaping the future of this field. My hope is that students leave with confidence, exposure and a clearer sense of what is possible for them.”
For incoming freshman Haile Agyemang, who will enroll at TSU this fall, the hands-on exposure delivered immediate impact. “It was such a valuable experience, and I learned so much from everyone. I can’t wait to see everyone in the fall,” Agyemang said.
Mentorship served as a central pillar throughout the experience, with graduate assistants and faculty guiding scholars through complex data collection and real-world problem-solving. Ultimately, RANGE aims to transform early summer research into long-term professional pipelines across the agricultural industry.
“Five or ten years from now, I would love to see RANGE alumni enrolled at Tennessee State University, pursuing graduate degrees, working in USDA agencies, leading in industry, conducting research, serving communities and coming back to mentor the next group of students,” Young added. “That is the real goal – building a pipeline of talented, prepared, and purpose-driven students who are ready to lead in agriculture and related fields.”
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
