A qualitative study and program evaluation of the partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture and the Hispanic-serving institutions.

摘要

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has partnered with the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to become what is known today as the USDA/HSI/HACU Partnership Initiative. Partnership goals include increasing representation of qualified Hispanics and promoting Hispanic Serving Institutions in USDA and the food and fiber industry.;The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of this partnership. The research questions are as follows: (1) What is an effective method for evaluating collaborative endeavors between government agencies and institutions of higher education? (2) Are there improvements that can be made to enhance the existing partnership between USDA and the Hispanic Serving Institutions?;A multiple method of inquiry was applied using qualitative analysis, and a model of program evaluation to enhance the quality of results. Using analytic induction techniques, themes were discerned and triangulated from interviews with 25 participants, historic program documentation, and the results from a 17-member program evaluation team.;Four key areas effecting the achievement of partnership goals emerged: (1) inadequate communication and outreach hinders growth; (2) strengthening and expanding collaborations with HSIs, HACU, additional agencies within USDA, and other federal agencies is opportune; (3) institutionalization and political leadership are critical; and (4) the need exists for ongoing identification of issues, follow through, and evaluation. Additional results conclude that multiple methods of inquiry present a complementary review of complex partnerships. Qualitative analysis provides unequivocal tools for detecting nuances within data, while a staff-centered approach offers practitioner expertise.