A Fresno State staff member is one of 13 people across the country to be chosen for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship program.

Mary Willis, coordinator of internships and professional experiences, will be participating in a two-to-four week session where the program will help her gain an understanding of the USDA and other federal agencies and as well as build partnerships.

The program selects staff and faculty from Hispanic-serving institutions and is dedicated to E. Kika De La Garza, who served 32 years as the first Hispanic U.S. Congressman from Texas’ 15th District and six terms in the Texas House of Representatives.