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The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

John Harris Fellowship Program

The John Harris Fellowship is an esteemed program designed to cultivate exceptional talent for Agriculture’s future by providing targeted experiential learning opportunities for students within the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at California State University, Fresno. This fellowship exists to equip students with on the ground skills, aptitudes and experiences needed to excel in agricultural sciences and related fields while fostering leadership capabilities and innovative mindsets.

Purpose of the Program

The fellowship is supported by the Dr. John C. Harris Endowment Fund. The purpose of the endowment is to establish campus-based student internships within the University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL) at California State University, Fresno. The students selected for this fellowship (known as Harris Fellows), will engage in direct, hands-on learning and professional development opportunities while working within a specific unit (enterprise) on the Fresno State UAL.

Program Details

Harris Fellows will:

  1. Embody Excellence: Demonstrate a willingness to go “Above and Beyond” in attitudinal behaviors, actions and innovative thinking.
    Immerse in Farm Operations: Serve as student managers/leads engaged in hands-on farm production and business operations.
  2. Learn through Hands-On Experience: Choose a unit aligned with their major and work closely with campus farm managers to oversee and manage that unit.
  3. Collaborate with Campus Experts: Work one-on-one with faculty and staff to develop, then implement, business strategies, budgeting activities and designing unit workflow.
  4. Participate in Research: Collaborate with faculty researchers (as appropriate) to enhance academic and practical knowledge applications.
  5. Connect with Peers and Industry Experts: Convene monthly with peers and industry representatives to gain insights on current issues and innovative ideas linked to unit’s activities.
  6. Engage in Professional Development: Participate in at least one professional development event and share takeaways in classes or at campus conferences.
  7. Present Experiences: Present highlights of their experience to the Ag Foundation board, with the option to share with Dr. Harris' designee.
  8. Exceptional Academic Standards: Maintain a declared major in the Jordan College and uphold good academic standing.

Selection Criteria

Candidates for the John Harris Fellowship must:

  1. Exhibit a commitment to a career in agriculture aligned with a chosen academic major.
  2. Possess a passion for agriculture’s sustainable future and prosperity
  3. Show potential as a future leader or innovator in the agricultural industry.
  4. Desire for hands-on, practical learning experiences and mentoring.
  5. Demonstrate an above and beyond mindset in attitude, behavior and work ethic
  6. Be undergraduate students currently working or newly hired at a unit of the University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL) at Fresno State.
  7. Demonstrate strong academic performance, maintaining good academic standing of 3.0 cumulative gpa or higher

Application Process

  1. Unit Manager or Faculty Nomination: Submission of a Harris Fellow candidate nomination form by the Unit Manager or Faculty related to where the candidate would like to serve as a Fellow.  Access the Unit Manager/Faculty nomination form. 
  2. Candidate Application: The nominated candidates completes and submits the Harris Fellowship Program Application form by the deadline, including a current resume, interest statement and recommendations (documents should be submitted in Adobe PDF format). Access the Harris Fellowship Student Application.
  3. Interview: Finalists will be interviewed to evaluate their suitability for the program.

Timeline

  • Application Opens: August 1st
  • Application Deadline: August 31st
  • Interviews: Second week of September (Sept. 15-19, 2025)
  • Fellows Announced: Third week of September (Approximately Sept. 26, 2025)

Contact Information

For more information about the John Harris Fellowship, please contact Dr. Steven Rocca: