Category: Q&A - Page 8

April 21, 2023

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Mary Ann Gowdy

How rewarding is it to work with students in the plant science degrees program? Advising and mentoring is immensely rewarding because students begin their college experience as timid students unsure of themselves and graduate as confident energetic young professionals. How do you assist those students throughout their academic journey? I encourage them to take calculated risks and to accept unsuccessful events as learning experiences. I stress the importance of learning to accept responsibility for their actions and how important it is to ask for help when needed. My job as their advisor is to be honest with them and that…

April 13, 2023

Get to Know Kelly Wilson

What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the Associate Director for MU’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture and an assistant professor with the School of Natural Resources. I work closely with farmers, farm advisors, and farm groups to research and promote adoption of farming practices that are restorative to the environment and benefit people. I use participatory research approaches to conduct applied research that meets the felt-needs and challenges of farmers and others across the ag value chain. I work with all types of farmers, but one of my…

March 7, 2023

Get to Know Matt Fleming

Matt Fleming and his wife Kate plan an annual fun-filled trip to Disney World for their family. What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? As the CAFNR Coordinator of Facilities and Operations, I work closely with faculty and staff to ensure their spaces are best supporting the strategic plan of the College and the Education, Research and Extension mission of the University. In my role, I’m able to help plan long and short term on how CAFNR can best use its spaces both in Columbia and within the four Research, Extension and…

Feb. 26, 2023

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Libby Johnson

Libby Johnson serves as an academic advisor for the natural resource science and management degree program. How rewarding is it to work with students in the natural resource science and management degree program? I love it! I love relating to the students through my nerdy office décor and being interested in what they are interested in. I also feel like my faculty and students are so kind and down to earth. Even if I don’t feel competent in the position, the students are appreciative of my help. I feel like I get to help them and see fruits of…