March 2, 2022

Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program

Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going 2022

IFSL Director Update

Friends of IFSL,

We launched the Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program to develop the leaders needed to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the food system—from decreasing food waste and improving food safety to feeding 9.5 billion people by 2050 in a sustainable and equitable way.

Our program is creating these leaders every day. We recognize the importance of a holistic, integrated education that bridges traditional food system training and leadership development. IFSL’s cross-disciplinary approach paves the way for emerging leaders to grow their careers and think bigger as they work to create positive impacts on our food system locally, regionally, and globally.

IFSL Student Success

We are incredibly proud of our IFSL program graduates. They have shown incredible creativity, fortitude, and resilience during the rapidly changing conditions in the food system during the pandemic. Representing roles and organizations throughout the food system, our graduating students grew their food system knowledge, skills, and passions and indicated that one of the greatest values of the IFSL program was the connections they fostered with their peers and the IFSL advisor network. In addition, 100% of our students have embraced new career opportunities, followed their passions, promoted sustainability, became more resilient, advocated for food access, grew personally and professionally, and made a difference in our food system including in pandemic response.

Welcoming New Students this September

The IFSL program continues to grow and improve as we incorporate real-time updates to benefit the students in the program. One of these updates includes the ability to engage with the program through a stackable credential model. This means that IFSL courses are available through individual courses, a Regents post-baccalaureate Certificate, and a Master of Professional Studies program.

We look forward to welcoming our new IFSL students in September, and guiding the next group of IFSL leaders as they work to advance their careers while helping solve the biggest challenges in the food system.

We are both proud and excited of where we’ve been and where we are going with IFSL. We thank you for your continued interest and support of the IFSL program and our mission to grow leaders to feed the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer van de Ligt
IFSL Program Director
Growing Leaders to Feed the Future