Nearly a decade ago, and just one year into his teaching career at the University of Missouri, Jon Simonsen traveled with a handful of MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) faculty and administrators to Chillicothe, Mo. The purpose of the trip was to meet with board members of the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, which was created…
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Focused on a Safe and Comfortable Return
Trowbridge renovations, other venues open up socially-distanced classroom space for CAFNR students
As the University of Missouri prepares to open its doors for the 2020 fall semester, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has spent the past four months making sure the return for its faculty, staff and students will be done safely and according to the Show Me Renewal Plan. An academic operations team comprising one individual…
An Educational Experience
Robert Sites earns inaugural MU Study Abroad Teaching Excellence Award for Thailand Study Abroad program
For 14 straight years, Robert Sites has led University of Missouri students to Thailand for an educational study abroad experience focused on biodiversity and conservation. The 3-week program, which takes place over winter break, coincides with Thailand’s dry season – the best time of the year to be in the country for biodiversity and conservation projects. When Sites, a professor…
A Different Look
CAFNR students adapt to remote learning during COVID-19 pandemic
In mid-March, the University of Missouri System announced that its four universities would conduct remote courses for the reminder of the spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most students traveled home and have been finishing their coursework remotely. Students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) don’t only receive a degree during their time in…
Being Adaptable
CAFNR teaching faculty transition to remote learning
Part of CAFNR’s mission is preparing students for a complex, interconnected planet. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, students must be adaptable learners and informed citizens to make purposeful contributions in the world. CAFNR provides these opportunities through exceptional experiential and practical learning experiences based on cutting-edge science and through communicating and engaging with people and the community. Students in CAFNR…
Building a Network
Agribusiness Career Connections Program allows students to connect with industry
As the director of career services in the CAFNR Office of Academic Programs, Matt Arri dedicates his time to building networks and relationships between CAFNR students and industry professionals. Arri’s goal is to make sure those students are career ready – and he has introduced a variety of new initiatives to help them along the way. One of those initiatives…
Taking Student Recruitment to the Next Level
CAFNR Office of Academic Programs strengthens recruitment team with new staff addition
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Office of Academic Programs strengthened its student recruitment team with a new staff addition, Tara O’Brien, who joined in September. O’Brien is a recruitment and events specialist, a brand-new position to CAFNR. “While CAFNR has an incredible amount of support regarding recruitment efforts from faculty, staff, students and administrators, we knew we…
Exploring Careers
Career Exploration Days offer students a look at careers in agriculture, food and natural resources
For years, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has opened the doors of its Agricultural Research Centers to thousands of high school students to showcase its research, programs and academic opportunities. Referred to as Agricultural Education Days, these events also give students an idea of what future careers they can seek with a degree…
An International Explorer
Shanon Dickerson encourages students to see the world
Sitting in an economics class as a business major at Illinois College, Shanon Dickerson wanted to be just about anywhere else in the world. Little did she know that international travel would soon become a massive part of her life and, eventually, her career. Dickerson switched her major from business to Spanish, and quickly fell in love with the opportunities…
Rising to the Occasion
CAFNR Strategic Plan outlines new signature experiences for students
We know CAFNR students always rise above the rest, but now – it’s official. As part of the “CAFNR Strategic Plan, Drive to Distinction,” launched in April, all undergraduate students will take part in a “signature experience” during their time on campus. This is denoted as the “RISE” initiative: Research, International, Service learning, Experiential learning. (Of course, students don’t have…