Parks Recreation and Tourism ⋅ Page 1

Branda Named to CAFNR International Education Committee After Study Abroad Experience in Barcelona

Diego Branda experienced international sport management and world culture in Barcelona this summer. 

“I got a flyer and it sat in my room for a month,” said Diego Branda, senior parks, recreation, sport and tourism major about the beginning of his study abroad journey. “I didn’t think I would ever pick it up, but the more I thought about it, I didn’t know when I’d ever get another chance to do anything like…

Building Their Careers

Two parks, recreation and sport alumni — Andrew Dean and Alex Stone — are connecting with St. Louis Cardinals fans as leaders in the team's ticket office

The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its students a variety of opportunities to connect with industry professionals, through career fairs, symposiums and tours. For Alex Stone, one of those opportunities connected him with a fellow parks, recreation and sport alumnus – as well as the St. Louis Cardinals. During his senior year, Stone…

Bleeding Black and Gold

Justin Sykes was recently hired as Mizzou softball's first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his parks, recreation, sport and tourism degree in August

Justin Sykes grew up donning the black and gold at numerous University of Missouri athletic events. Soon, Sykes will be sporting Mizzou colors as an official staff member of the softball team. Sykes has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin…

Five CAFNR Students Earn Mizzou ’39 Honors

This week, the Mizzou Alumni Association and Alumni Association Student Board named the 2023 Mizzou 18 Award and Mizzou ’39 Award recipients. In the spirit of service that was the cornerstone of the 1839 founding of the University of Missouri, the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board presents the Mizzou ’39 Award to 39 outstanding seniors each year. Recipients are chosen…

Pursuing His Dreams

CAFNR Celebrates Black History Month: Young alum Dorian Giles has built a strong career in player representation, marketing and brand building in the sports industry

Dorian Giles had a tough decision to make early on as a student at the University of Missouri. Giles, an avid basketball player throughout his youth, had dreamed of one day suiting up at the collegiate level. While those dreams were put on the back burner as Giles chose to attend Mizzou, during his sophomore year he was in contact…

An Incredible Experience

Sophie Cunningham Classic offers students a look at organizing a high-profile event

In early December, high school girls basketball teams from three states took part in the inaugural Sophie Cunningham Classic, a three-day shootout in Columbia created by women athletes for young female athletes. The Classic allowed those athletes to take center stage and allowed Cunningham to give back to the community where she dominated opponents on the court as a high…

Senior Spotlight: Marlon Guzman

Guzman will graduate with a degree in parks, recreation and sport

Marlon Guzman hasn’t had the typical finish to his collegiate career. Guzman has spent his final semester at the University of Missouri on a different continent, participating in an internship with Wilderness Patagonia, a travel company located in Bariloche, Argentina. The internship has given Guzman an opportunity to combine his interests in natural resources, sustainability and tourism. And while the…

An Exceptional Evening

CAFNR honors six of the college’s outstanding alumni at the 2022 Column Awards

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources recently honored the six individuals chosen to receive the 2022 CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni. This is the only award specifically for alumni presented by the college. The awardee class includes one graduate from each of CAFNR’s six divisions, reflecting the six historic columns at the University of Missouri. Animal Sciences…

CAFNR Welcomes New Faculty

Seven new faces join CAFNR faculty for the fall 2022 semester

With the fall semester underway, we are excited introduce and welcome the new faculty members in our college. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri is proud to introduce seven new faculty members this semester who are equipped to advance our core missions of research, teaching and extension. They each bring a wealth of…

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Jenna Fusinatto

Fusinatto serves as an academic advisor for the parks, recreation and sport degree program

How rewarding is it to work with students in the parks, recreation and sport degree program? Working with the parks, recreation and sport (PRS) students over the years has been very rewarding. Advising the students from start to finish, I can understand their pathway through college, celebrate their accomplishments and assist them through their struggles. Each graduation ceremony is bittersweet…