Students in the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences organization (MANRRS) at the University of Arkansas spent a day meeting staff and touring facilities at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in November.
In December, MANRRS students also met with representatives of Tyson Foods, and Tyson donated $20,000 to the U of A chapter for professional development opportunities.
The students, along with a group of MANRRS students from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, visited with Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, a two-time U of A graduate, along with heads of the various Department of Agriculture units.
Both visits were coordinated by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, which is where the MANRRS chapter is housed, although it's open to all students across campus.
The trip to Little Rock included a conversation with Ward, as well as the heads of the forestry (Joe Fox), livestock and poultry (Patrick Fisk), natural resources (Chris Colclasure) and plant industries (Scott Bray) divisions, as well as with section supervisors of the Shared Services Division. Ward earned his master's degree in agricultural economics from Bumpers College as well as his law degree from the U of A.
"This was a great experience and opportunity for our students," said Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley, Bumpers College assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, said. "They were able to visit with the leadership team, learn more about the different divisions and how they work together, and hopefully make connections for the future. We appreciate their time and hospitality, and Amy Lyman (director of marketing and communications) for setting it up and getting it scheduled."
Mosley, professor of human development and family sciences and MANRRS club adviser, and Bumpers College Director of Employer Relations Catherine Beasley worked with Tyson Foods and arranged for students to meet with William Nettles, talent acquisition lead, and Simeon Hinsey, talent acquisition specialist.
Nettles and Hinsey visited with students regarding company research, career and internship opportunities.
The $20,000 gift is through Tyson's diversity, equity and inclusion fund, which includes as part of its mission statement to "recruit, retain, develop and promote talent that believes that our differences strengthen our ability to innovate, move beyond challenges and execute with excellence with a level of trust that is undeniable."
"These funds will be used to support professional development opportunities for students, such as traveling to the national MANRRS conference (in the spring), regional cluster conferences and traveling across the state to meet with junior MANRRS students (seventh-eighth graders) as mentoring opportunities," Mosley said.
MANRRS club President Jimena Rodriguez, Terrius Bruce, Kobina Fanyinkah, Enoch Ametepey and Madison Dains were among the students who met with Department of Agriculture staff.
Fifteen students, along with Mosley and interim Bumpers College Dean Jean-Francois Meullenet, participated in the meeting with Tyson's Nettles and Hinsey.
In Mosley's role as assistant dean for DEI, the priority is advancing student success by creating pathway programs such as MANRRS and Jr. MANRRS, partnership with Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools on a summer enrichment academy, collaborating with the college's Student Services team and academic advisers, and working with the college's employer relations and undergraduate student recruiting groups.
MANRRS promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences; initiates and participates in activities and programs that ensure ethnic minorities will be involved in and associated with agricultural sciences and related fields; and pledges to work for the inclusion, achievement and advancement of all people in agricultural sciences.
U of A's MANRRS chapter offers academic support, networking opportunities and career development.
