am KEIONDRA MARSHAL a senior, animal science/
unlimited opportunities, because of the various networking and
pre-vet scholar from West Palm Beach, Florida. My
professional development activities at the local, regional and
journey to the “Hill” is a bit different from most of
national levels. At our local chapter, our co-advisors Thomas and
my classmates. In spite of the fact that I was raised
Timmons ensure that there are workshops that focus on career
by a family full of Rattlers, I thought that Florida
development, such as Résumé Building, Behavioral Interviewing
A&M University (FAMU) was not the place for me.
Tips, and soft skills such as, Teamwork, Problem-solving, and
Although I rejected the idea of attending FAMU,
Work Ethics. These are on-going activities. MANRRS also opened
my family never pressured me to follow in their
doors to regional and national conferences that are opportunities
footsteps. However, they always instilled in me the
for students, advisors, business professionals, graduate schools,
importance of seizing every opportunity for my
and companies to come together in one central location. This
academic and personal growth. When I realized that my growth
allowed them to exchange professional development advice,
was not being maximized, I took a leap of faith and transferred
attend workshops, and most importantly, provided them
from Florida Gulf Coast University to FAMU in my third year of
with opportunities to compete in oral and poster research
college. This spur-of-the-moment decision changed my life
competitions, speech and other professional competitions.
drastically; not only academically, but professionally and socially as well. During my first semester at FAMU, I was enrolled as a biology
Derrick Coble, Ph.D., assistant professor has also played a vital role in my growth, as a student. I had the privilege to accompany Dr. Coble to North Carolina A&T University, his alma
student with a concentration in professional science. One day
mater, where I participated in an animal confinement workshop,
while sitting in my chemistry class, I came across a young lady,
and collaborated with students from other schools to present a
who spoke about being a pre-vet student in the College of
PowerPoint presentation on the information we learned while
Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS). She introduced me to one
there. Before coming to FAMU, I had never had this type of
of her academic advisors, and from there I knew that CAFS was
opportunity to attend conferences and workshops.
where I belonged. One important thing that can be taken for granted, that I like
Being involved in organizations at the college level has encouraged me and expanded my love for volunteering and
about CAFS, is the one-on-one attention that students receive
getting involved in campus-wide and community activities. At
from faculty. Also, there are many opportunities for students to
the college level, I serve as the secretary of MANRRS, a CAFS AG
collaborate with professors, if we so wish. The faculty and staff
Ambassador, and as an active member of the Animal Science
care about the students’ academic progress and success.
Club. At the university level, I am Miss 1963 for the FAMU Chapter
Verian Thomas, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for Student
of Collegiate 100, an active member of Phi Sigma Theta National
Support and Tommeron Timmons, coordinator of Research
Honor Society, and the Golden Key International Honor Society.
Programs in CAFS are examples of a faculty and staff, respectively,
Also, I have served as a member of the National Council of Negro
who mentored and played a pivotal role in my growth as a
Women, the Entertainment Committee Chair for the Class of 2019
student. They both encouraged me to join the FAMU Chapter of
FAMU Campus Activities Board, and as a YMCA Reading Tutor and
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
Mentor at Ruediger Elementary School for 2018-2019.
(MANRRS). As stated on their website, MANRRS is a professional
After college, my short-term goal is to explore the
society with a mission to “promote academic and professional
opportunities available to me within my major, and acquire more
advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural
hands-on animal experience. My long-term goal is to attend
resources, and related sciences.” It offers students the opportunity
veterinarian school with a concentration in aquatic animal health.
to enhance their leadership, organizational and public speaking
I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have received within
skills, and to experience professional critique of scholarly work in
the College of Agriculture and Food sciences, and I eagerly look
a “user friendly” environment.
forward to the opportunities yet to come. CAFS is indeed a place
Being involved with MANRRS has opened the door of
where future leaders are grown!
Keiondra is an honor student, and was the recipient of a CAFS Undergraduate Scholarship. This scholarship was established to recognize outstanding full-time students enrolled in a CAFS major. She is on track to graduate in spring 2020.
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F LO R I DA A & M UNIV E R S ITY
