MANRRS and Professional Development in Forestry Development at Auburn University

Speaker Identity: Michelle Cole is the Manners Advisor at Auburn University.
Education: Holds a degree in Forestry from Alabama A&M and a second degree in Education; currently a PhD candidate.
Forestry Focus: Specialized in Urban Forestry, which involves managing trees within city environments ("right tree in the right place").

Full Name: Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (now officially referred to simply as "MANRRS").
Mission: Empowering minorities for academic and professional advancement in agriculture and related science fields.
Location: The national home office is located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Structure: Auburn University is part of Region 3, which includes chapters at Alabama A&M and Tuskegee University.
Dues and Fees: Student dues are $10\,USD$ per semester; chapters pay a $125\,USD$ fee to remain in good standing.

Core Skills: Focuses on time management, networking, and professional communication (e.g., prompt email responses).
Career Access: Connects students to industry giants such as John Deere, Cargill, Nutrien, and the Sustainable Forest Initiative ( $SFI$ ).
Job Hub: MANRRS provides a central hub for job openings and internships, including the National Brown Grain and Feed Foundation Scholarship.
Events: National conferences attract between $1000$ and $1400$ attendees.

Mentorship Philosophy: Students should find mentors who elevate their careers. Cole cites Dr. Allen, the first black female urban forester, as her primary mentor.
Fundraising: The Auburn chapter raised $2000\,USD$ in a single day by selling toilet paper to fans during football games.
Nicole Glover Example: A PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences who represented MANRRS at a stakeholder panel for Farm Credit despite her non-forestry major.
Metaphorical Advice ("Advice from a Tree"): Stand tall, reach for the sky, adapt to change, and "get rid of Deadwood" (toxic influences).
Framework: Listen, Observe, and Learn ( $LOL$ ).

Question Regarding Community Impact: C.J. asked about Cole's contributions to her home community. - Response: Cole served two years as Chamber President and conducts mock interview workshops for seniors at Tallahassee High School.
Question Regarding Professional Contacts: Jackson asked about Dale Dickens from the Forest Commission. - Response: Cole confirmed Dale Dickens is a close associate on the Alabama Urban Forestry Association board.
Question Regarding Career Beginnings: Rich asked why she chose forestry. - Response: Cole originally wanted to be an accountant but pursued forestry after attending a US Forest Service camp and finding the coursework relatively easy, despite failing a Soils class once for calling soil "dirt."
Environmental Law Minor: A student inquired about advising. Cole confirmed she advises students in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment for minors via Advisor Assist.