Meet KEIONDRA MISS 1963 FOR THE FAMU CHAPTER OF COLLEGIATE 100

I am KEIONDRA MARSHAL a senior, animal science/ pre-vet scholar from West Palm Beach, Florida. My journey to the “Hill” is a bit different from most of my classmates. In spite of the fact that I was raised by a family full of Rattlers, I thought that Florida A&M University (FAMU) was not the place for me. Although I rejected the idea of attending FAMU, my family never pressured me to follow in their

footsteps. However, they always instilled in me the importance of seizing every opportunity for my academic and personal growth. When I realized that my growth was not being maximized, I took a leap of faith and transferred from Florida Gulf Coast University to FAMU in my third year of college. This spur-of-the-moment decision changed my life drastically; not only academically, but professionally and socially as well.

During my first semester at FAMU, I was enrolled as a biology student with a concentration in professional science. One day while sitting in my chemistry class, I came across a young lady, who spoke about being a pre-vet student in the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS). She introduced me to one of her academic advisors, and from there I knew that CAFS was where I belonged.

One important thing that can be taken for granted, that I like about CAFS, is the one-on-one attention that students receive from faculty. Also, there are many opportunities for students to collaborate with professors, if we so wish. The faculty and staff care about the students’ academic progress and success.

Verian Thomas, Ph.D., professor and associate dean for Student Support and Tommeron Timmons, coordinator of Research Programs in CAFS are examples of a faculty and staff, respectively, who mentored and played a pivotal role in my growth as a student. They both encouraged me to join the FAMU Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). As stated on their website, MANRRS is a professional society with a mission to “promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.” It offers students the opportunity to enhance their leadership, organizational and public speaking skills, and to experience professional critique of scholarly work in a “user friendly” environment.

Being involved with MANRRS has opened the door of

unlimited opportunities, because of the various networking and professional development activities at the local, regional and national levels. At our local chapter, our co-advisors Thomas and Timmons ensure that there are workshops that focus on career development, such as Résumé Building, Behavioral Interviewing Tips, and soft skills such as, Teamwork, Problem-solving, and Work Ethics. These are on-going activities. MANRRS also opened doors to regional and national conferences that are opportunities for students, advisors, business professionals, graduate schools, and companies to come together in one central location. This allowed them to exchange professional development advice, attend workshops, and most importantly, provided them with opportunities to compete in oral and poster research competitions, speech and other professional competitions. 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 mater, where I participated in an animal confinement workshop, and collaborated with students from other schools to present a PowerPoint presentation on the information we learned while there. Before coming to FAMU, I had never had this type of opportunity to attend conferences and workshops.

Being involved in organizations at the college level has encouraged me and expanded my love for volunteering and getting involved in campus-wide and community activities. At the college level, I serve as the secretary of MANRRS, a CAFS AG Ambassador, and as an active member of the Animal Science Club. At the university level, I am Miss 1963 for the FAMU Chapter of Collegiate 100, an active member of Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Also, I have served as a member of the National Council of Negro Women, the Entertainment Committee Chair for the Class of 2019 FAMU Campus Activities Board, and as a YMCA Reading Tutor and Mentor at Ruediger Elementary School for 2018-2019. After college, my short-term goal is to explore the opportunities available to me within my major, and acquire more hands-on animal experience. My long-term goal is to attend veterinarian school with a concentration in aquatic animal health. I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have received within the College of Agriculture and Food sciences, and I eagerly look forward to the opportunities yet to come. CAFS is indeed a place where future leaders are grown!

Meet KEIONDRA MISS 1963 FOR THE FAMU CHAPTER OF COLLEGIATE 100

Keiondra Marshall

crc3@azure77.com