Award Covers Full Cost of College, Paid Internships and USDA Career Opportunities
Gooch Named 2026 USDA 1890 National Scholar
For Alabama A&M University sophomore Keely N. Gooch, receiving the email announcing she had been selected as a 2026 USDA 1890 National Scholar marked the culmination of months of hard work, prayer and determination.
“When my eyes first landed on the acceptance letter, all I could do was thank God,” Gooch said. “This goal would not have become a reality without Him. He deserves all the glory.”
Gooch, an animal bio-health sciences major from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is among a select group of students chosen nationwide for the prestigious scholarship program, which supports students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resources and related sciences at one of the nation’s 19 historically Black land-grant universities established under the Morrill Act of 1890.
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is designed to increase the number of students from rural and underserved communities pursuing careers in agriculture and related fields. Each year, approximately 90 to 100 students across the 19 participating universities are selected for the highly competitive program.
The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, room and board. Scholars also receive paid summer internships, professional mentoring, networking opportunities and potential career opportunities with USDA after graduation.
Keely Gooch (center) and other members of the Animal Bio-Health Sciences Club tend to goats at The People’s Patch community farm near Alabama A&M University.
Gooch applied through the USDA’s online application portal in March 2026. She learned
in May that she had advanced as a finalist before receiving official notification
of her selection in July.
The award removes the financial burden of paying for college and allows Gooch to focus
entirely on preparing for a career in animal science.
“This scholarship means I can focus wholeheartedly on my studies as an animal bio-health scientist without the financial burden of tuition and all the fees associated with higher education,” she said. “Being a USDA 1890 National Scholar gives me the opportunity to shape both my career and my plans after graduating from Alabama A&M.”
Gooch plans to take full advantage of the program’s mentorship, summer internships and networking opportunities while preparing for a career with USDA.
“I am more than ready to challenge myself, expand beyond my comfort zone and grow into my career as an animal bio-health scientist and a woman in STEM,” she said.
She chose Alabama A&M because of its welcoming campus community and the opportunities she discovered during her first visit.
Keely Gooch (second from left) and fellow interns collect environmental samples during an internship with the Savannah River Environmental Sciences Field Station in Aiken, S.C.
“From the beauty of the rural grounds to the family-like bonds and community I found after arriving on campus, I loved everything about my first-year experience,” said Gooch. “Alabama A&M is like a home away from home.”
Although she is the first member of her family to attend Alabama A&M, Gooch said her family’s longstanding appreciation for historically Black colleges and universities helped shape her educational journey.
Beyond the classroom, Gooch has quickly emerged as a campus leader. She serves as treasurer of Sistas Inspiring Sisters, sophomore representative for the Animal Bio-Health Sciences Club, and is an active member of the Environmental Science Club and the AAMU Wildlife Society.
She credits Alabama A&M’s faculty and campus culture with encouraging students to succeed.
“I appreciate how the faculty prioritize our education, our enjoyment and our overall experience,” she said. “Everyone at AAMU brings something different, and I love the diversity of people, personalities and perspectives.”
Keely Gooch (second from left) and fellow interns pose in front of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken, S.C.
This summer, Gooch strengthened her research experience during an eight-week internship with the Savannah River Environmental Sciences Field Station in Aiken, South Carolina. The hands-on program immersed students in field and laboratory research, including collecting soil and water samples, analyzing environmental data, delivering scientific presentations, and developing leadership and teamwork skills.
After graduating in May 2029, Gooch plans to pursue a career with USDA while working toward her long-term goal of becoming an animal science researcher focused on the conservation of domestic, wildlife and exotic animal species.
“Ultimately, I want to help better the planet through research and conservation,” she said. “This program is giving me the experience and clarity to become the scientist I want to be.”
To learn more about the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program or apply, visit https://www.nfc.usda.gov/careers/apply/1890.php.