UDC Students attend National MANNRS conference in Houston

by LaShell Staples

(Left to right) LaShell Staples, Webs Pierre, Siaka Nuah, Connie Williams, Seanita Terry, Oluwakemi “Kemi” Adeola

Dr. B. Michelle Harris and six student members from the University of the District of Columbia Chapter of the Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) traveled to Houston, Texas, to participate in the 30th Annual MANRRS National Career Fair and Training Conference. The conference, held March 26-28, 2015, provided members an opportunity to further develop academically and professionally, as well as to expand the future opportunities of MANRRS.

Members of the UDC chapter of MANRRS attended workshops conducted by professional representatives from agricultural corporations and organizations such as USDA, John Deere, and DOW Agrosciences. Workshop topics included professional development, graduate school application strategies, entrepreneurship, and personal branding. 

UDC MANNRS also participated in a 5K charity walk/run and an annual talent show, where chapter Vice President, Webs Pierre, took second place after reciting a spoken word piece.  Following the conference festivities, Mr. Pierre was offered a paid summer internship with the Ohio State University Summer Research Program. Seanita Terry, Treasurer of the UDC MANRRS Chapter, was also offered a career position. She will be employed with the USDA Agriculture Research Service in Bushland, Texas. 

For more information on the UDC Chapter of the Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences contact chapter president, LaShell Staples.

Dr. Harris (second from right) and UDC MANRRS members at the conference awards ceremony and gala