Here is a question: How does a regular kid from Indianapolis, Indiana, end up graduating with honors from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a concentration in Agribusiness? Well, for as long as I can remember, graduating college has been an expectation for me.
Throughout middle school and high school, my parents did everything they could to prepare me for college. At a very young age, my mother made it clear that nothing but my best would be accepted. “Why did you get an A- instead of an A?” she would often say. At the time, I thought she was hard on me, but now I see how her actions molded me into the person I am today, who strives for greatness and settles for nothing less than excellence.
One summer, before starting my high school career, I attended the Hoosier Agribusiness Science Academy at Purdue University. Immediately, I became infatuated with agriculture, the environment, and the role it plays in our lives. I continued to participate in this program for the next four years, and each year my passion for agriculture grew. I also participated in the USDA’s Ag Discovery program at Florida A&M University and South Carolina State University. Those experiences confirmed that agriculture would be my future career field.
To help me achieve this goal, I applied to Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina A&T University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Florida. The deciding factor was receiving the Regents’ Student Merit Scholarship at Prairie View, the university’s most prestigious award. The scholarship has provided me with a better opportunity to excel in my classes, and allocate more time towards extracurricular activities, personal development, exploring career paths, and learning more about the agricultural industry.
In my first year on “The Hill,” I participated in the Agriculture Summer Bridge Jumpstart Program. This experience was a godsend, as I met my future best friends and began to make connections with professors and other faculty that continue to benefit me to this day. I also became a member of Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). I knew I wanted to receive internships and develop as a professional. MANRRS provided me access to Fortune 500 companies, graduate programs, research opportunities, and a community of hardworking people who love agriculture.
During my sophomore year, I attended the MANRRS Regional Cluster, and I earned a marketing internship with John Deere. I moved to Iowa for summer and had a remarkable experience. I completed two intern projects, one being a new delivery process for combine-harvesters, and the other being improving the signage in dealer showrooms. Working with John Deere was a pivotal time in my college career, as I learned a lot about myself and how to be a professional.
It also helped me to realize how monolithic the agricultural industry is. Agriculture has historically been dominated by Caucasian men from rural communities, and this has played a huge role in the growing disconnect between urban areas and agriculture. Now, many people lack a general understanding of and appreciation for agriculture. I returned to PV in the fall, more motivated than ever to be an impactful person in the agricultural industry and make a difference for people who look like me, who have been underrepresented and under-supported in a field where we were exploited for hundreds of years.
Following my internship at John Deere, three team members and I went on to win the National MANRRS Bowl competition after defeating the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the championship round. In 2020, I won second place in an elevator pitch competition, and just recently, I won first place in the MANRRS National Essay Contest with a paper titled “Modernizing the Agricultural Workforce.” I have also served as secretary, vice president, and president of MANRRS during my time at PV.
During my junior year, I attended the MANRRS-NASDA Foundation Ag Policy Summit. At this event, I was exposed to the field of policy and governmental affairs as it pertains to the food and agriculture industries. I gained a deeper understanding of environmental, agricultural, and food policy issues. This conference, combined with many of the courses I have taken at PV, helped guide me towards pursuing a career in agricultural and environmental policy. These accomplishments have shown me that anything is possible if I work hard and have calculated actions. It leads to success, even if it is not instant. Persevering through adversity and rejection is a necessary step to becoming the best version of oneself.
During my time at PV, I have also served as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, working with faculty to expand the undergraduate experience. We looked at improving things, such as the degree plan, course curriculum, and recruitment methods. This role gave me the opportunity to develop as a leader and evaluate where and how I could become a more well-rounded professional.
Concluding my senior year, I am a conservation intern with Memorial Park Conservancy in Houston and a research assistant at the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) at PV. Working with Memorial Park has allowed me to learn more about how humans should coexist with nature instead of forcing nature to completely adapt to us. I have developed a propagation manual for native plants that have been identified as ideal for ecological restoration within Memorial Park.
As a research assistant in CARC, I have worked under Drs. Peter Ampim and Eric Obeng on a variety of projects and plants. In the fall of 2020, I presented my research on the optimum nitrogen rate for amaranth at the 78th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. At this event, I won third place in the undergraduate students’ oral competition. This was a huge accomplishment for me because it was my first time presenting research. I truly appreciate Dr. Ampim and Dr. Obeng for showing me how to conduct research properly and for giving me the opportunity to present my research to others. The skills taken from this experience will surely put to good use in the future.
Prairie View will always have a special place in my heart. It is true that Prairie View Produces Productive People. So many of my classmates are successful, whether that be academically, professionally, or entrepreneurially. It rubs off on everyone else. We have no choice but to be great. We believe we can do anything we put our minds and actions toward.
The professors at PV are always looking to help. It’s cliché, but I always tell freshmen to make a real connection with their professors and cultivate that relationship, because whenever an opportunity comes across their desk, they will think of you first. That’s how I have received many of the opportunities I have taken advantage of, and it is the case for many others as well.
I will forever cherish the people I have met and the memories I have made at PV. I can’t wait to have my RV at homecoming and give back to future students the way countless others have done for me.
In the fall, I will begin the next part of my journey in the agricultural field. I have accepted a full scholarship to attend Purdue University to pursue a Master’s of Science in Agricultural Economics with a focus on Agricultural Policy. I have received a research assistantship as well, and I am looking forward to doing more research that will impact the lives of others within the field of agriculture. Although I will not be at PV next year, I will take the lessons I have learned with me.
So, how did a regular kid from Indianapolis, Indiana, end up graduating from Prairie View A&M University with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a concentration in Agribusiness? Diligence, perseverance, humility, and the desire to be great.
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