FRANCIS CRENEL "CJ"

CRENEL “CJ” FRANCIS is known for his passionate approach to leadership. Also named as the Tallahassee Urban League Rising Star, Francis is determined to continue his family’s legacy by becoming an agriculturalist while leaving an impact on campus.

“Of all the colleges and schools on campus, CAFS stood out to me because it offered the right mix of courses, plus the many opportunities for professional development that I believe that I would not have gotten in any other college,” said Francis. “The opportunities that have been afforded to me has helped me to excel academically and professionally.” For Francis, leadership didn’t call him as soon as he arrived on the “Hill.” After observing and learning the ropes, Francis felt that it was time to begin leadership. “But when I first came as a freshman, I never thought I would be where I am today by a long shot. I was just a student. I mean, I was literally just a student,” recalled Francis. “I started realizing campaigns and CAFS – and being the president of MANNRS, well first being the vice president and a member of the Collegiate 100, like I said I waited my turn and knew when it was the right time to C

take my place. With all that, it kind of just fitted me, so I just kept on going,” Francis continued.

As Mister FAMU, president of MANNRS and past president of the Collegiate 100, Francis has developed a skillset from CAFS that has challenged the development of his leadership skills. According to Francis, he has learned how to use the power of his influence to make a change. “CAFS has definitely contributed to my journey as a student leader. I remember being in Dr. Verian Thomas’ first-class learning about time management and scheduling,” Francis recalled. “And then I've always had the support of Timmeron Timmon, coadvisor for MANNERS and advisor for the Collegiate 100.”

Timmeron Timmons remembers Francis beginning as an introvert and is proud to see that he has developed into a passionate student leader and advocate. “Crenel gives you that passive caring leader who is sympathetic as well as empathetic,” Timmons described. “He is definitely a leader in his own right.”

According to Dr. Thomas, Crenel has had a drive since his first-class with her. With support and coaching, Francis was able to come out of his shell. “Crenel, on

the other hand, is a little shy. We worked on him – ‘pulling him up, pulling him up, pulling him up,’ and then one day, he came in and said I am running for Mr. FAMU and I was like ‘Oh.’ I gave him his first donation,” Dr. Thomas smiled. “So, it really makes you feel good to see that they have grown up and become more mature."

As an agribusiness student with a minor in public relations, Francis wants to focus on communications as it relates to agriculture and continue to pass the torch his father gave to him. “My dad has been practicing agriculture for 30 plus years, so this is something that I've seen throughout my lifetime. And now I’m sitting here as a graduating senior, also majoring in public relations, which is very different,” Francis explained. “I am trying to put journalism and agriculture together. I don’t know if I am going to go into politics or not, but I see myself out there dealing with communications as it pertains to agriculture,” Francis concluded.

FRANCIS CRENEL "CJ"