The U of A chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences have successfully collaborated with Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools to create an Arkansas Junior MANRRS chapter.

Students in the U of A chapter, an official university registered student organization, will partner with the junior club and serve as mentors for the younger group, which includes K-12 students.

The junior chapter is one of just 19 across the country. The junior MANRRS program is designed to inspire students to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, agricultural and mathematics fields, or STEAM. The objective is to encourage students in grades 7-12 to attend college and pursue agriculture, natural resources and environmental sciences degrees.

The goal of the U of A MANRRS, Bumpers College and Arkansas Junior MANRRS partnership is to provide an opportunity to increase historically underrepresented students in K-12 with direct exposure to a land-grant university and mentorship via U of A's MANRRS, improve diversity in underrepresented areas of agriculture and related sciences by dispelling agriculture "myths" and expose underrepresented K-12 students to important "soft skills," applied research and opportunities to present at regional and national conferences.

"The overall goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue degrees in agricultural fields and expand the community of diverse agricultural leaders in Arkansas to foster more expansive representation and mentors for future students," said Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley, professor of human development and family sciences, and adviser to U of A's club. "Our partnership between Junior MANRRS and U of A MANRRS plays a key role in expanding the state of Arkansas' capabilities in agricultural research and supporting its land-grant mission."

Wendell Scales, deputy director of innovation with ALCS, is the major adviser for the junior club.

"Establishing the state's first junior MANRRS is a monumental step forward as we develop an innovative pathway for our scholars," Scales said. "I thank Dr. Deacue Fields, Dr. Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley, Katie Dilley, Terrius Bruce and Ian A. Smith. They have supported our vision and understand mentorship plays an equally important role in shaping our future leaders."

Many members of the Arkansas junior chapter participated in an Arkansas Lighthouse Summer Enrichment Academy hosted by Bumpers College this summer. A group of ALCS seventh- and eighth-graders from Jacksonville and Pine Bluff spent three days on campus receiving hands-on learning experiences, exposure to technical and scientific operations and procedures related to agriculture and human environmental sciences, social networking, an introduction to the college's majors and career opportunities and possibilities, an introduction to campus life and traditions, and a concluding white coat ceremony.

U of A's MANRRS chapter, which is one of 60 nationally, is housed in Bumpers College, but is open to all students across the university. The group's purpose is to provide academic support, networking opportunities and career development. Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley, professor of human development and family sciences, is the club's adviser.

"Getting a juniors MANRRS program established in Arkansas has been a top priority for Bumpers College," said Katie Dilley, coordinator of undergraduate student recruitment for the college. "This is an incredible opportunity for historically underepresented K-12 students to have direct learning experiences with agriculture and related sciences, and network with the vast community of MANRRS, where students will be mentored by individuals who look like them and who are working to make a stronger and more diverse future in their career fields. Bumpers College's programs have a global impact on the most critical industries to life, and these students now get front-row seats to experience these programs long before heading to college or careers."

Scales, Mosley and Dilley led the effort to establish the junior group, which is the first one in Arkansas.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.