Office of Culture, Access and Belonging

The Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean’s Choice Award honors students who show resilience, leadership and a commitment to advancing access and belonging. The scholarship helps address barriers in higher education, including financial hardship and limited support systems, by providing assistance for tuition, housing, books and other education-related expenses.

“The MSUFCU CANR Dean's Choice Award reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers and expanding access to opportunity, ensuring every student can thrive, pursue their passions and create positive change in their communities,” said Antomia Farrell, Ed.D., associate dean and director for the CANR Office of Culture, Access and Belonging and interim associate dean for faculty affairs and development. “Through this partnership, MSUFCU and CANR work together to make education more equitable and empowering for the next generation of leaders.”

The 2025 recipients are Carmen “Betty” Powers and Julian Rafael.

Carmen “Betty” Powers, horticulture senior

Carmen Elizabeth “Betty” Powers discovered her passion for plants while tending houseplants and an apple tree during the pandemic. That early curiosity grew into an academic and professional pursuit centered on connecting people with plants.

“I really like producing plants. I really like providing plants to people and connecting people with plants,” Betty said.

Betty initially came to MSU to explore different paths and soon realized her true interests lay in horticulture. She has since gained experience through internships at the Beal Botanical Garden, where she transitioned from outreach to hands-on garden work with daily visitors, and at the Allen Neighborhood Center, where she helped expand community food access and saw how plants support health and belonging.

Encouraged by her advisor, she applied for the Dean’s Choice Award during her senior year to help cover tuition and housing.

“This award is extremely helpful. It covers the shortfall between the grants I’ve already received and what I still need,” she said.

Looking ahead, Betty plans to continue creating spaces that connect people and plants, whether through urban farming, food distribution or botanical gardens. She also encourages other students to apply for opportunities that support both their studies and their growth.

“There is never any harm in trying,” she said. “Even if you don’t win a scholarship, you benefit by making connections. College is so much more than the education you receive; it’s also the relationships you build along the way.”

Julian Rafael, food industry management senior

Julian Rafael, a senior in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, is majoring in food industry management, a path he discovered after beginning his MSU journey as a packaging student.

“I didn’t know food industry management was even an option until my advisor suggested it,” Julian said. “I like sales, I like to talk and move around, so it ended up being the right fit.”

Julian has participated in the Multicultural Apprenticeship Program, which introduced him to agriculture-related career pathways, and attended the MANRRS National Convention, where he gained valuable leadership experience. As a first-generation student, he has also navigated financial challenges.

“Even though I don’t have financial sustainability, I keep going because of my family,” he said. “They’ve been my motivation, helping me however they can.”

The Dean’s Choice Award helps relieve that burden, allowing Julian to focus on completing his degree in December and beginning a career in food sales and merchandising. In the long term, he hopes to launch a distribution business to improve conditions for field laborers.

“I want to help by making labor work less difficult and creating a place where people feel more comfortable,” he said. “My goal is to build something that creates opportunities and makes a real difference for people like my family.”

Julian also encourages students to take advantage of available support systems.

“Read your emails and don’t hesitate to ask for help,” he said. “There are opportunities out there to support students, but many people don’t know about them unless they reach out.”