2026 State of Inclusive Excellence
To answer the beyond question, we are part of a national organization that has numerous chapters across this country. In Oregon we currently have one chapter here at Oregon State University, we recruit students from all backgrounds, regardless of if they are Oregon resident or not, we aim to recruit first years and any class standing students plus graduate students. We aim to improve their lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in one or two of the conferences held by the MANRRS organization. At these conferences students can network with undergraduate and graduate students. They are also able to network with alumni, professionals across all sectors of agriculture and other related sciences. They are also able to present their research and compete in professional competitions such as job interview, impromptu speech, and mini thesis presentations.
The MANRRS organization was built on the principle of dedicating itself to promoting the academic and professional advancement of minority students and professionals in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. By providing networking, internships and careers to students, mentoring and leadership via their LEAD program. They also have included an early engagement section for students in middle school and high school who want to improve their skills in STEM and agriculture related fields.
OSU- MANRRS works diligently to stay in communication with federal agencies and community organizations to help students network with professionals in fields they find interest in for example, ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, USDA- NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture- Natural Resources Conservation Service, and some local community organizations such as Xícha Brewery, Coleman Agriculture, Pratum Co-Op, etc. Last year we held "Mock Interview" for our members and OSU students, where the interview was a representative from one or many of the industries listed above, this allowed students to ask as many questions as needed. It also gave them an insight of what potential interview would look like if they were to apply at that company. National MANRRS also collaborates with numerous companies that offer scholarships for our students. Our students have successfully received numerous scholarships from companies and organizations like; Farm Credit, John Deere, Land O' Lakes, and many others.
OSU’s Land Grant mission of public service, education, and community impact is well represented by our chapter. We bridge the opportunity for our members to participate in volunteering opportunities, educational outreach, and having an impact both at our university and our surrounding communities. Many of our members and officers are involved in different organizations on campus this includes other clubs, sororities, fraternities, campus ministries, and many more. We proudly represent ourselves in all our work and we are honored to represent OSU.
OSU MANRRS continues to support all our student’s success by maintaining and foster a network of organizations that have hired and helped our students further their education and careers. We continue to work towards recruiting as many members as we can to join our organization. We have an amazing puddle of alumni with exceptional careers, who give back to our organization by participating in alumni panels, or graduate student panels, fundraisers, and tours of their current job facility. We are grateful to be able to provide this sense of mentorship for our current underrate and graduate students and we appreciate all the work that goes on behind doors to help our students receive as many opportunities as they deserve.
We have a few strategies one being direct collaboration, we tend to collaborate with clubs and organization that have similar missions as ours. Some organizations include Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MECHA), Centro Cultural Ceasar Chavez, Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), and many more. Anther includes accessible outreach; we do have our own Instagram page but for our members not connected digitally we have a corkboard with our information located on the first floor Strand Agricultural Hall. There we have a section for upcoming events, what MANRRS is and does, we also provide our flyers to the College of Agricultural Sciences so that they can share them on their large flat screen tv’s that are placed in corridor sections of Strand Agricultural Hall where foot traffic is high. This allows students to see our flyer and be reminded of our upcoming events.
I personally have been able to witness my officers starting as shy individuals to growing and gaining leadership skills that have helped them outside of our organization. I am honored to watch them grow within themselves and expand their knowledge in other sectors, such as applying for internships, research competitions, writing grants, and simply running a meeting. That’s what brings joy to my heart, is seeing how my officers grow within their own shell and can apply these skills in the real world.
Last April, OSU- MANRRS was awarded the "Chapter Of the Year Award" for our hard work in community service and leadership development. Our chapter is not only valued at the state level but also nationally. This award represents the unity our members and officer have within the organization. It represents Oregon State University, and it represents us.
What gives me hope for the next year is watching our first years develop their leadership skills and see them stepping out of their comfort zone. Watching the current and future generations of agriculture leaders continue to strive and stand for what they believe in.
