May 13, 2009 - Aaron Hegde, California State University, Bakersfield professor of economics, has been selected to receive a fellowship from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The fellowship aims to help recipients gain insight and understanding of the federal government and experience first-hand the education policymaking process. The fellowship specifically targets educators at Hispanic serving organizations.

Hegde will travel to Washington, D.C. in June for four weeks, where he will meet with program officers within the government to determine what opportunities are available to increase the involvement of Hispanic students in agriculture and environmental management.

"This fellowship is extremely important, especially because funding is such a challenge right now," Hegde said. "This opportunity will give us access to federal funding sources that were previously unavailable."

The fellowship program was established in 1998 as part of the USDA-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities leadership group's efforts to advance USDA's relationship with participating institutions. The program is designed to enhance professional growth while fostering work force diversity and strengthening the nation's capacity to provide high quality education and increased opportunities for Hispanic-Americans.