Emily Rose Escobedo is from Nyssa, Oregon. She graduated from Nyssa High School, and took 20 college credits at Treasure Valley Community College during her junior and senior years. In the summer of 2008, she participated in OSU's summer bridge program, STARS, where she completed 10 more college credits.
1. Did your educational goals change during the last year? No, my education goals did not change. I still have my goal in mind to shoot for good grades, and to have a good learning experience in each of my classes. For the last year, each term I challenged myself to be better than the previous term, and have succeeded thus far.
2. Did your long-term goals change during the last year? As of right now, I have my major option in Toxicology. My long term-goal is to graduate, and I’m still unsure of what job I would like to have. This has not changed throughout the last year. After taking some Toxicology courses this next year, I hope to have a better feel on what I would like my future job to be.
3. What was the best thing about the last year at OSU? I believe the best thing about this past year was getting to meet new people in my major and in MANNRS. Everyone is very friendly and always willing to help. Although I am a pretty shy person, I am beginning to open up more to everyone. I believe attending the MANNRS National Conference opened up many opportunities and the beginning of a friendship with many people.
4. What was the hardest thing about the last year at OSU? The hardest thing about last school year was during fall term. I spent Thanksgiving with my grandpa in the hospital, and was told he had a low chance of survival. Finals were very hard for me, because my thoughts were back home; however I got through them. My grandpa then passed away in mid December. I got to see him before hand and spend time with him. He was very proud of me, and I’m very thankful to be continuing my education, making myself and my family proud.
5. If you could give an incoming MSP scholar one piece of advice, what would it be? It’s okay to ask for help. My main problem is that I like to do everything on my own, and if I do not know the answer, then I will keep searching until I do. However, I have gotten better and I now know that asking for help does not make anyone look dumb. The teachers have office hours and also if there are other students in the class, there always more than welcome to start study groups.
Omar Miranda Garcia is from Forest Grove, Oregon, where he graduated from Forest Grove High School.
1. Did your educational goals change during the last year? My major goals did not change, however, my short term goals have become more challenging. I would like to achieve the highest GPA that I can every term. I want to challenge my standards. I have found out a few things about myself over this past academic year, and I want to improve.
2. Did your long-term goals change during the last year? No, my long term goals did not change over the year. I still want to graduate college and do the goals that I have set for myself the year prior.
3. What was the best thing about the last year at OSU?
The best thing about my last school year was going to the MANRRS national conference in Florida. I had a great time, and got to meet a whole new group of people.
4. What was the hardest thing about the last year at OSU? I would have to say it was keeping my academics at a level where I felt was good. I really struggled last year, especially in the beginning fall term. However, thanks to support from my adviser and friends and family, I was slowly getting back up, and digging myself out of an academic hole that I made.
5. If you could give an incoming MSP scholar one piece of advice, what would it be? I would advise them to always stay on top of your school work, no matter how easy the class is, or hard the class may be. Search for help all around you, because I’m sure you’ll find a bunch of it. Don’t get down on yourself too much if life is not going your way; it will change for the better. Last thing I would say is, school has to come first (besides your family), not your boyfriend or girlfriend or your friends that want to go out all the time. Your school first, then the rest, for as long as you stay in college, or grad school.
Tiffany C. Harper grew up in Junction City, Oregon, where she graduated from Junction City High School. After her graduation she took a year off from school to serve as a State FFA (Future Farmers of America) officer. She was recently elected Parliamentarian of OSU MANRRS.
Tiffany's educational goals:
- Establish a healthy learning environment
- Gain "hands on" skill in my major
- Seek job/internship opportunities, friends and mentors
- Be an active leader and student on campus
Tiffany's long-term goals:
- Graduate from Oregon State University
- Obtain a job with professional development and advancement in my area of interest
- Obtain networking connections
- Become an active OSU alumni member
Personal reflections: "I am the youngest of six siblings and was the first of my siblings to be born in America. I have experienced the struggles of having a Kenyan cultural background, much different from those in my community.
My goal is to run a sustainable family farm and sell local fresh farm products to the greater Willamette Valley, create direct markets in hotels and grocery stores, and provide nursery products. I plan on using skills gained in college to educate the public about the importance of agricultural awareness in our country.
I am extremely honored to have been selected for the Multicultural Scholars Program. I have been working hard at staying on track with education and "giving back" to those who have helped me through my life. I cannot wait to be more involved! Thank you for getting me started to a wonderful future."
Alejandra Marquez was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She graduated from Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico and started college at OSU in 2009.
1. Briefly describe where you are in terms of your interests, BRR degree, research project or mentor search.
I am now in my junior year majoring in BioResource Research with options in Toxicology and Applied Genetics. I have recently started my BRR research project with my project mentor, Dr. Magnusson in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The biomedical research project I am conducting is related to the study of declines in memory with aging. I have found this project to be something I am very passionate and excited about because it directly relates to my interest in medical research.
2. Did your educational goals change during the last year? How or why?
During the last year, my educational goals have still remained the same but I am now more open to considering different options. Although I would still like to continue my education after obtaining my bachelor’s degree and go on to medical school, I have now considered the possibility of applying to the physician’s assistant program in the case that my first option does not work out.
3. Did your long-term goals change during the last year? How or why?
My long-term goals are still aimed at ultimately working in the health field but during the last year I have looked at different options in the case that my primary goal of becoming a medical physician was to not work out. Becoming a physician’s assistant is something that I have also found to be interesting and what I am considering as a secondary option.
4. What was the best thing about the last year at OSU?
One of the most memorable moments for me from the last year at OSU, was when the MANRRS OSU chapter won the recognition of chapter of the year at the Kansas City national MANRRS conference. To win this recognition, our chapter had to work very hard and complete an application that showed our activities throughout the year. It was very rewarding to see the hard work that our chapter invested to be acknowledged.
5. What was the hardest thing about the last year at OSU?
One of the most difficult things about the last year at OSU was finding a balance between all of my priorities. During the school year it is often difficult to find time for exercise and sleep while balancing the workload of classes, extracurricular activities, and a job. I found that although it was difficult, by organizing myself I could find time for all the things I considered important. I also realized that I would not always be able to do everything, and prioritizing helped me to focus on the things I believed mattered most.
6. If you could give an incoming MSP scholar one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would advice incoming MSP scholars to truly value the opportunities and resources that the MSP scholarship offers. I have had the opportunity to meet some great friends that are also MSP scholars and the support and help I have received from the entire BRR department has really helped me throughout my undergraduate studies thus far. Being part of a program like this will really give you the tools and resources needed to succeed in your academic goals, all you need to do is take advantage of it.
Dominique Sabedra graduated from Eureka (California) High School, and her family has since relocated to Lebanon (Oregon). She is a senior at Oregon State University double majoring in BioResource Research and Animal Sciences. Her research project on dairy cows is in the Department of Animal Sciences with mentor Dr. Gerd Bobe.
1. Briefly describe where you are in terms of your interests, BRR degree, research project or mentor search.
Currently I am going into my senior year at Oregon State University majoring in BRR with an option in Animal Reproduction and Development. I started my research winter of my junior year and am smack dab in the middle of my project right now. I have been busy working with my mentor, Dr. Gerd Bobe in Animal Sciences, analyzing results for the my project titled "Serum Haptoglobin as a Predictor in Transition Dairy Cows".
2. Did your educational goals change during the last year? How or why?
I do not think my educational goals changed very much in the last year. I still plan to graduate and move on to graduate school to get my masters in reproductive physiology. However, I did find out that I will be graduating in four years so I am very excited about that! I have also recently decided that I want to move to a different state for graduate school. I have truly enjoyed my time here at OSU but feel that I am in need for a change of pace and would really like to travel and try something new.
3. Did your long-term goals change during the last year? How or why?
Yes, my long-term goals have changed quite a bit in the last year. I have recently decided that I am not as interested in the Veterinarian route as I used to be. I am slowly starting to realize that there are many things you can do with a degree like BRR and I am now looking into working for an agriculture company or corporation. My dream job would be to work for Disneyworld, or some other park, in an Endocrinology lab.
4. What was the best thing about the last year at OSU?
The best thing about this last year at OSU would probably have to be all the networking I was able to do. I served as an ambassador this last year for Agricultural Sciences, Forestry and Natural Resources and had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people that have really made a difference in my life. I also was able to travel through the ambassador program and MANRRS to Indianapolis and Kansas City. It was a great opportunity and a super fun experience!
5. What was the hardest thing about the last year at OSU?
The hardest thing about this last year would definitely be my academic schedule. I was taking a great deal of science classes as well as trying to balance research with work...and sleep! I am so thankful to be done with this last year and wouldn't have made it though my classes without the support of my family and my fantastic advisor, Wanda Crannell!
6. If you could give an incoming MSP scholar one piece of advice, what would it be?
Do not procrastinate! Keep on top of your schoolwork and then you will be able to do all the fun things that go along with the college experience. BRR is a really tough major but if you stay on top of your work you won't fall behind and then you won't be so stressed! Also I would say to keep in contact with your family. I don't think I could have come this far without the support that my parents have given me.
7. Are there any personal reflections you’d like to add?
College has gone by incredibly fast. I cannot believe I am already a senior. I have met so many amazing people here at OSU and have really grown as a person. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have come to realize that not everybody has the privilege to attend college and as stressful as it can be sometimes, I try to remember that it will serve me well in the long run and I am thankful everyday for this opportunity.
Martine Torres is from Lake Oswego, Oregon, where she graduated from Lake Oswego High School. She attended Portland Community College, spent a year at University of Oregon as a sophomore, and also took summer classes at Portland State. She is a senior, although she plans to spend two more years at OSU to finish her research and BRR degree. Martine is the Vice Presient of OSU MANRRS. Martine has just begun her research in the laboratory of Dr. Ganti Murthy in the Biological and Ecological Engineering Department. Her project is about removing heavy metals and dyes from water in India using algae. She also spent a week in Honduras this summer, volunteering in Global Water Brigades. Last year, Martine stated that her educational goals were: "To graduate with a degree in BRR (Water Resources option) and be able to learn about water quality issues so I can take what I've learned and apply it to global health areas."
Did your educational goals change during the last year? No, they've stayed pretty consistent. I've just been able to act on my interests relating to water quality by volunteering in Honduras and identifying my mentor and research project.
Did your long-term goals change during the last year? No, they've stayed the same.
What was the best thing about the last year at OSU? I had a lot of fun at the MANRRS National Conference and I can't wait to go again next Spring Break. Also, all of the friends that I have made within BRR and MANRRS was one of the best things that happened last year. The group of girls in BRR are amazing and have become some of my closest friends. Also, being able to finally see what it's like to work in a developing country.
What was the hardest thing about the last year at OSU? The classes that I had to take was the hardest thing for me because I am not used to taking science and math courses since I switched from a BA to a BS, so I didn't get the grades I would have liked.
If you could give an incoming MSP scholar one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't give up. There were so many times when I wanted to quit because I studied so hard for an exam and didn't do well on it. You just have to keep in mind what your long term goal is and that one bad exam will not be the end of the world, even though it feels like it. There are always people to talk to when you're feeling bad about yourself. I always talked to Wanda after I did terrible on an exam and she would always boost my confidence and make me believe I can accomplish what I had set out to do. I am not a science person, yet I am doing all these science courses because I know this is the best route for me to take because of what I want to be doing in the future. Also, stay on top of your coursework and always study a little each day. I learned this late in the game because I was always busy with other things and got distracted easily by boys or what not and I would postpone studying for an exam until a week before and that's not always enough time to learn weeks or months of material.
Are there any personal reflections you’d like to add? I'm very happy I chose a difficult major because when I graduate I will feel so accomplished and have the mentality that I can do anything I set my mind to. If you asked me two years ago where I would be, I would have never said I'd be doing a research major at OSU, instead I would have imagined myself doing International Studies at UO (where I transferred from). So never underestimate yourself and what you can do.
Former MSP Scholars:
Ashley Elizabeth Seeley has decided to get her degree in Animal Sciences.
Danielle Alicia Naylor spent one year as an MSP scholar and returned to Texas to finish her education.