Bumpers College Students Earn International Programs Scholarships

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Rachel Muzzy, in the human nutrition and hospitality innovation program, is participating in an international program in Thailand.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Funding from the Dean's Office and three endowed scholarships have enabled the International Programs Office in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas to award 28 scholarships to current students for global experiences.

Support from the college along with funding from the Cordia Harrington International Experience, Preston E. LaFerney International Agriculture Endowed Scholarship and the Richard D. Locke International Agriculture Endowed Scholarship made the scholarships possible.

The mission of the Bumpers College International Programs Office is to provide structured international experiences that enhance the marketability of students for career and academic opportunities. 

Students earning scholarships include Taylor Pruitt, Morgan Marley, Allyn Simpson, Kelsey Johnson, Laura Ortega, Bailey Carpenter, Callan Lichtenwalter, Mersady Redding, Zachary Tipton, Emily Keeling, Tye Cheney, Samuel Goll, Macy Shirley, Mackenzie Ruebling, Kathryn Lauer, Taylor Peck, Emily King, Kylee Sigmon, Lisa Gaddy, Benjamin Birney, Elizabeth Blum, Tasneem Chowdhury, Tessa Constant, CarLonda Sandidge, Rachel Muzzy, Jordan Griffin, Alex McLeod and Karlee Pruitt.

Johnson, Ortega, Lichtenwalter, Redding, Goll, Shirley, Lauer, King, Sigmon, Constant, Muzzy and McLeod are also members of the Honors College.

The Bumpers College participates in the community development program in Mozambique; offers faculty-led opportunities in China, Greece, Italy and Belgium; courses and exchanges in France and Belgium; and internships and research in India, Brazil, Philippines, Scotland and Uganda.

Alex McLeod, an agricultural communications student, is participating in the Scotland Internship Exchange at Rural College in Edinburgh.

"I will be working for the Agriculture Communication Services Unit on marketing and social media for the school," said McLeod. "I will gain a lot of hands-on experience that will prepare me for my future career. When applying for a job, international experience is important because it shows that I am able to adapt to new situations."

Kylee Sigmon, another agricultural communications student, plans to go to Greece for the food, agriculture and sustainability program.

"My work as a national beef ambassador made me aware of sustainability issues within the beef industry," said Sigmon. "That sparked my interest in agricultural sustainability. My goal is to educate others and give them a positive perception of agriculture. This faculty-led program will open my eyes to diversity in agriculture and I hope to form an honors research project that involves international agriculture and potentially sustainability."

The scholarships range from $1,000 to $1,600, and recipients were chosen by a committee after submitting an application, a statement of purpose and description of their international activity, and a recommendation letter.

"I want to absorb and learn as much about agriculture as I can," said Marley, also an agricultural communications student planning to travel to Greece. "Recently, Greece's struggling economy has impacted its agricultural industry. By immersing myself in Greek agriculture and economy, I will gain a valuable global perspective, which is essential for setting myself apart in today's competitive job market."

Faculty members who selected the recipients include Bruce Ahrendsen from agricultural economics and agribusiness; Jeff Miller from agricultural education, communications and technology; Charles Rosenkrans from animal science; Mary Savin from crop, soil and environmental sciences; Fiona Goggin from entomology; Han-Seok Seo from food science; Laurie Apple from the School of Human Environmental Sciences; Mike Evans from horticulture; Jim Correll from plant pathology; and Gisela Erf from poultry science.