Page 6 - The Enthusiast Winter 24
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AECM STUDENT FEATURES:
  Freshman: Alison murrell
Agricultural Communication and Marketing Major
Alison’s background with agriculture includes owning and showing horses competitively, showing a variety of animals in 4-H, and growing up helping her grandparents with their hay fields. In addition to this, she has been heavily involved in 4-H and FFA at a variety of levels. Those experiences allowed her to see a future within agriculture and how an Agricultural Communication and Marketing major allows her to tell the story of farmers and agriculture, which plays a vital role in everyone’s lives.
Alison was drawn to the University of Minnesota after visiting campus for an FFA Leadership Development Event Invitational her freshman
year of high school. Over the years, with more interactions with the campus, it started to feel like home to her by offering a friendly atmosphere and incredible opportunities.
Alison’s Digital Media Essentials course with Dr. Troy McKay has been a highlight of her semester. Professor McKay is always happy to answer any questions and give helpful feedback, truly allowing students to thrive.
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SOPHOMORE: LAUREN WANGSNESS
Agricultural Communication and Marketing Major International Agriculture Minor
Lauren did not grow up directly involved in agriculture, but was able to participate in 4-H and FFA in high school. Through these opportunities, she found her passion for agriculture and quickly learned that she wanted to study agriculture
in college. She was drawn to the University
of Minnesota because of the diversity and opportunities it had to offer. She knew that
the AECM program was well renowned, and
was attracted to the various clubs and student organizations related to agriculture.
Currently, Lauren works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as the Minnesota Ag in the Classroom student worker. In this role, she manages content creation, writes newsletters and blog posts, and plans advisory meetings and workshop events. This opportunity has grown her personal writing and communications skills.
Her advice to students would be to always make choices that are good for you. “It is so important
to make college your personalized experience, and you truly cannot do that unless you are putting your dreams and aspirations first,” expresses Lauren.
  
















































































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