CANR hosts discussion panel featuring undergraduate students focused on culture, access and belonging
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EmailCANR Office of Culture, Access & Belonging recently hosted an “Undergraduate Panel” in which several CANR students of various backgrounds and majors offered insights about their experiences in and around MSU.
We all know that having a sense of belonging is an important part of resilience and sustainability in agriculture. We also must be aware that as we increase the representation among our undergraduate students, we enhance the resilience and sustainability of our education and research products, and ultimately, of our institution. Toward this goal, CANR Office of Culture, Access & Belonging recently hosted an “Undergraduate Panel” in which several CANR students of various backgrounds and majors offered insights about their experiences in and around MSU.
One of the biggest challenges facing agriculture and natural resource professionals and educators lies in recruiting and retaining traditionally underserved populations.1
While the general population in the U.S. is more than 25 percent people color2, and the MSU population totals more than 27% people of color3, “here at CANR we have about 15% of undergraduate students reporting as a person of color,” said Tasha Warfield, CANR assistant director of undergraduate diversity.
“Faculty play an important role in the student experience at MSU,” Tasha said. “And they may not understand what students face both inside and outside of the classroom.” At this panel, students were provided a space and an audience to talk about their experiences in CANR—what has made their CANR experience great and also, what has caused them to struggle. Here are some things that were said in this lively and interactive session:
On the panel, the students addressed topics such as:
How did you decide on your major?
“I’m in forestry because in high school I was part of a program called Ecotek, which allowed me to get experience and meet a lot of people who I am working with now”
“I always wanted to be a veterinarian so I am studying animal science.“
“In my home country helped dad distribute food aid, which piqued my curiosity about food security and agribusiness.”
“When I was at Everette high school in Lansing some graduate students who looked like me came and taught some of our science classes in a monthly program that was run by Dr. Eunice foster”
How do you stay connected to people and to campus?
