In April, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to take part in MANRRS: I Am Because You Are: 39th Annual Training Conference & Career Expo. Here, students reflect on their experiences.

Senior Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) major Guadalupe Montero said,

“I found it insightful to hear from speakers about their education journeys that were not just informative, but inspiring. And I found it valuable and empowering to have conversations regarding what it is like to navigate education and professional spaces as minorities. Moreover, this weekend held a historical significance, as the conference took place during the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s passing in Memphis. This brought me a deeper awareness of the legacy of the civil rights movement and the sacrifices for equity and justice as people of color. This has inspired resilience within the community of students and professionals and made this experience for me much more memorable.”

Sophomore Agricultural & Consumer Economics major Kathya Grau, who took first place in the national essay contest.

“The conference reinforced the importance of innovation and long-term feasibility in solving global challenges. Pete Nelson from AgLaunch reinforced a powerful message by referencing the famous "Think Different" campaign quote from Steve Jobs. It’s a mindset I strive to adopt as I work towards becoming not only an innovator but a creator of sustainable solutions. Pete also shared his belief that anyone who is passionate and determined enough can make their entrepreneurial dreams come true, highlighting the power of perseverance. This reminded me that innovation and change come from daring to think differently and staying committed to our vision, no matter the challenges.”

The connections formed this April are already expanding beyond the conference. Agricultural and Consumer Economics major Flora Wu has continued to build on the relationships she made.

“By participating in workshops, I have gained personal insights into ways to fund my future, leverage my network for growth, and into entrepreneurship fundamentals. After the workshop, I reached out to Peter Nelson for a coffee chat to further our discussion on how to launch my own career and answer specific entrepreneurial questions. Overall, my takeaway from this experience is to not be afraid to reach out, connect, and follow up with professionals that are in the field that I am interested in."

The program is advised by Assistant Director of Inclusive Recruitment and Retention Diana Rodriguez and Coordinator of Global Engagement and Inclusive Excellence Roxanne Patiño.

“As the conference came to an end, it was clear that it was more than just an event—it was an experience that left a lasting impact. As an advisor, it made me proud to see my students take on the opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. They returned home not just with new knowledge and skills, but with a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, leadership, and community in shaping the future of agriculture and natural resources,” Patiño said.

“The MANRRS conference has always been a celebration of what’s possible when diverse voices come together to create change, and this year’s gathering in Memphis, Tennessee was a shining example of how collaboration, education, and empowerment can open doors to a world of opportunity.”