Florida A&M University College of Agriculture and Food Sciences 2019 Magazine

by Karena Mahung, Consultant, Indufor North America

PAPA GUEYE, a senior agribusiness major, is one of 10 students selected for the newly launched, Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program.

The 2019 pilot program, which is a joint initiative between the Land Trust Alliance and the USDA Forest Service, selected its initial cohort of undergraduates from Central State University, Colorado State University, Florida A&M University (FAMU), North Carolina State University, Tuskegee University and University of Massachusetts.

“The Alliance is incredibly proud of this work of building platforms for young, bright students interested in conservation and natural resource management to connect with practitioners and opportunities for career development. We hope to expand this program in future years,” shared Wendy Jackson, executive vice president, Land Trust Alliance.

The program provided an opportunity for the students to attend the National Land Conservation Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, they attended a one-day professional development experience where they heard from leaders in the areas of conservation and natural resource management, which helped to bolster and support their career development. The P

conference provided them with an opportunity to participate in several educational trainings and workshops where they connected with professionals from across the nation.

“One practical skill that I have come away with from this opportunity is a greater level of confidence and comfortability to network. I was timid at first, but the professionals at the conference encouraged me to express myself.”

The program is a career and leadership development program. Its goal is to expand opportunities for students from underrepresented minority groups in the land conservation fields and to strengthen career opportunities in natural resource management and conservation.

“The educational training workshops with teams of professional panelists provided great insight on the next steps going forward in our chosen fields and the wide range of career paths that one might take,” said Gueye.

Papa, is also an undergraduate research assistant at the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research.

Papa Gueye Selected for Conservation Leadership Program.

Land Trust Alliance