October 29 – When you hear Prairie View A&M University produces productive people, believe it because it’s true! PVAMU Graduate Andra Collins-Johnson came to the university in the fall of 1998 to pursue a degree in agriculture. Her life as a College of Agriculture and Human Sciences student took her to a place she couldn’t imagine.
Collins-Johnson majored in Agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Science and minored in Soils and Crops. In addition to her workload as a CAHS student, she was involved in several organizations on campus including Concert Choir, MANRRS, and the Rodeo Club. The curriculum at the time Collins-Johnson attended CAHS prepared her for a career in multiple areas of the field. She said, “I was grateful for that type of preparation. That’s what makes Prairie View a perfect place for students with no background in agriculture. The University offers a varied degree program.”
Collins-Johnson interned with the United States Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service for most of her academic career, but a summer internship with H.S. Estelle 4H Camp inspired her to focus on a career in agriculture education. Collins-Johnson now leads students at Benjamin O. Davis High School in Aldine Independent School District; she has been an agriculture teacher for 14 years. She holds the title of the first African-American, female agriculture and Future Farmers of America teacher in Texas.
As alumni, Collins-Johnson remains active at PVAMU by volunteering for CAHS and mentoring students. She is especially excited about one of her mentees, a current PVAMU student, who has committed to attend Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Collins-Johnson’s passion for leading minorities into the field of agriculture has inspired her to create a scholarship in the future. “I don’t have enough money yet, but if I had money, every kid that I met who wanted to go to Prairie View, I would pay for. That’s my goal – one day.”
Collins-Johnson credits PVAMU with helping discover who she was, strengthening her mindset, and placing her in a position to be successful. “I truly and dearly love Prairie View! It saved my life,” said Collins-Johnson.
Taelor Smith
Communications Specialist
tasmith@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5155