Members of the SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech chapter of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) recently returned from the 40th Annual MANRRS Training Conference & Career Expo in Dallas, Texas, where they joined students and professionals from colleges and universities across the country.
Founded in the 1980s on a mission to promote academic and professional advancement for minorities in these fields, MANRRS has grown into a national society with more than 70 collegiate chapters, bringing together over 1,000 students and professionals from all racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds at its annual conference.
At the collegiate level, MANRRS provides undergraduate and graduate students with access to valuable industry connections, internships, conferences, and professional development opportunities, as well as a community where students from underrepresented backgrounds can find mentorship, belonging, and a pathway to leadership in the agricultural sciences.
“As a first-generation Latina student, attending the MANRRS National Conference was a milestone experience in my life. Every moment pushed me to grow, from the opening session to the career expo. I attended workshops on networking and personal branding where I got one-on-one feedback on my resume and LinkedIn profile. From that, I was prepared to speak with companies like Zoetis and CHS, Inc., and learn more about career paths in animal nutrition and research I had never considered. My studies have been focused on veterinary medicine, and this trip opened my eyes to how much more agriculture has to offer. I came home motivated to grow MANRRS on our campus and share these opportunities with my peers.” – Stacey Lazzo
“Since joining MANRRS, it has been encouraging to see so many people who look like me, and from a similar background, getting involved and becoming leaders in agriculture. Even small hallway interactions at the conference felt genuinely welcoming, and I have returned to campus with a stronger sense of community. Moving forward, I want to step outside my comfort zone, learn as much as I can, and bring valuable knowledge back to Cobleskill Ag & Tech while continuing to grow personally and professionally.” – Akira Ruffin
“I learned that MANRRS as an organization is not afraid to show that diversity is power. Seeing the cultural performances at the opening of the conference made me realize that the collective strength of people from different backgrounds, all striving to make their voices heard in agriculture and the sciences, was right there in that room. I feel hope for all minorities in all agricultural fields that we will have opportunities to grow and develop, even in a world that has not always made space for us. MANRRS is making sure that our generation will get the skills and hands-on experience we need to not only survive in the professional world but to thrive and dominate in our fields.” – Fiony Liau
“Attending the MANRRS National Conference was one of the most impactful experiences of my college career. Learning about the organization’s history and seeing people of color thriving in agriculture motivated me to do more for our chapter back home, especially by making sure new students have the chance to join and feel supported. The career expo was incredible. I made professional connections I never would have had otherwise, and hearing recruiters say that MANRRS membership can improve your chances of landing an interview was really encouraging. The ‘Branding You’ session also helped me strengthen my resume and work on presenting myself more confidently.” – Nyla Francilot
For more information about the College’s MANRRS chapter or opportunities to get involved, visit our Clubs & Organizations web page.
