E. Kika De La Garza Fellow Helps Students Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

Nearly twenty years ago, all that Dr. Circe Niezen, professor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR), knew about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was the USDA approval sticker on her luggage for agricultural safety when she traveled from Puerto Rico to the continental United States.

Today she is a USDA E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) fellow, a role that has made her a conduit of information for USDA at her university. Her specialization in industrial engineering education has been enriched by the EKDLG fellowship, which strengthens educational partnerships with faculty from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) to collaborate with USDA and learn more about the federal government. Applicants must be faculty or staff at an HSI or Hispanic-serving school district to qualify. Niezen certainly qualifies with PUPR, having the most Hispanic engineering graduates of any private institution in the U.S.

During her fellowship in 2023, Niezen experienced a monumental moment in USDA history: Xochitl Torres Small was named the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, making her the first Latina ever to hold the position. "I experienced so much emotion," she said. "Being a Latina and seeing her get that position was an image that I will hold on to and pass on to future students."

EKDLG fellows are not alone in bringing USDA to their institutions. USDA liaisons serve as key USDA representatives across America. They advise and assist communities, students, faculty, institutions, farmers, ranchers, foresters, and others on USDA programs and initiatives. USDA liaisons develop and maintain partnerships with key USDA collaborators to enhance greater outreach between these partners and USDA agencies, mission areas, and staff offices. Niezen and her respective liaison, Thomas Badilla, have an excellent working relationship. "We are in constant communication," she said. "He has brought several workshops to our school, including one that helps students navigate the federal government hiring process."

Her outreach has directly impacted students. For example, one of her students, Julio Diaz Matute, credits Niezen for sharing an opportunity for a government internship and encouraging him to pursue it, despite his being hesitant to leave Puerto Rico. "Due to her conversation, I was able to take advantage of an opportunity and step out of my comfort zone," he said. This personal growth and achievement are a testament to the impact of the EKDLG fellowship upon students.