Because grant funding is temporary, however, continued operation beyond the grant period should depend upon demonstrated enrollment, student outcomes, workforce relevance, instructional capacity, and financial sustainability.

Accordingly, the program will be monitored through enrollment, completion, student credit-hour production, course capacity, instructional costs, learning outcomes, workforce outcomes, and attributable revenues. A formal sustainability and grant-exit review should be completed before the expiration of USDA/NIFA funding to determine whether the program should be institutionalized, expanded, integrated, redesigned, or discontinued.

The proposed certificate has progressed through Kentucky State University’s academic curriculum review and approval process. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) has approved the establishment of the certificate program.

Supporting documentation demonstrates review and approval through the participating academic units and the University’s faculty governance process, including the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, School of Business, College of Business, Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, and Faculty Senate.

Following authorization by the Kentucky State University Board of Regents, implementation of the certificate program is planned to begin in Spring 2027.

The proposed Agricultural & Business Data Science Certificate presents Kentucky State University with a comparatively low-risk opportunity to establish an interdisciplinary, workforce-responsive credential in an area of increasing importance to agriculture and agribusiness.

The proposal is strengthened by: