2020-2021 Ambassadors
Juriana Barboza Sagrero - Cornelius, OR
Junior majoring in BioResource Research with an option in Toxicology and a minor in Chemistry.
I grew up as a family oriented individual due to the big family I was raised in and I am the eldest of 8 children. Growing up my parents encouraged me to become the best version of myself. Throughout my childhood they emphasized the importance of being selfless, open minded, committed, and driven. They also highlighted the significance of pursuing an education. Unlike my parents, I had the opportunity to graduate from high school and attend a 4 year university following that. I was lucky enough to have options that allowed me to ultimately attend Oregon State University where I have been able to grow into the person I am today, and continue to follow the values that my parents taught me.
Being a first generation student from a small city like Cornelius brought many concerns, however, becoming a member of STEM Leaders my first year eased some of my worries. I was able to engage in research and eventually became a mentor. STEM Leaders opened doors that I thought would not be there for me. I was able to develop connections with peers, faculty and become more involved in my community. Furthermore, through networking, I became a part of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS). Here, I learned about the College of Agricultural Science and the variety of majors it offered. One of the majors was BioResource Research. What attracted me to BRR was that it was an interdisciplinary bioscience major that centered around research. Additionally, through it and my club, I was able to earn the MSP scholarship to facilitate my financial situation and continue my studies. Being a BRR student has provided me with the resources that have paved the path I am currently on. It’s rigorous material continues to challenge me everyday, preparing me for my future as a medical doctor.
I am fortunate enough to say that the College of Agricultural Science has provided me with a multitude of opportunities that have not only impacted my academics in a positive way, but also have provided me with the support and guidance to grow personally and mentally. I am ecstatic to be able to represent this wonderful college to prospective students. I hope that my role as a college ambassador will encourage minorities to strive for their goals and realize that they have options in an institution like this.
Jumanah (JJ) Bilal - Beaverton OR
Junior majoring in Animal Science with an option in Animal Bio Health/ Pre-Professional and a minor in Chemistry.
My name is Jumanah Bilal, but I go by JJ, and I am a Junior majoring in Animal Science with an option in Animal Bio Health/ Pre-Professional. I am minoring in Chemistry and Photography and I plan on being a Senior next school year and graduating in the Spring. My hometown is Beaverton OR.
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia did not leave room for a lot of exposure to agriculture. Being from the desert, the vast majority of the animals I interacted with were camels, horses and farm animals like goats, sheep, and cows. From a young age I remember being utterly captivated by these large, magnificent animals, however, I never thought I would grow up wanting to be a Veterinarian.
The summer I turned 14, I took care of my sister’s newborn kittens from 3 weeks old. This adventure sparked a passion in me for animals and I realized at the age of 14 that I wanted to spend the rest of my life taking care of animals, and being a Veterinarian became my ultimate dream.
I have previously been involved in lambing at OSU's Sheep Center through the College of Agricultural Sciences. Being at OSU has allowed me to make connections that have resulted in working under high pressures at the Veterinary ER clinic in Beaverton. I also take part in the Botany club and Environmental Sciences Club at OSU. Being at Oregon State has broadened my interests and honed my skill set. During the summer of 2020, I plan on interning at OSU’s Veterinary School with Dr. Jennifer Johns and researching the effects of stem cells on osteosarcomas in canines.
I am really looking forward to being an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences. I’m eagerly awaiting all the new possibilities and adventures the next year holds. I am honored to be able to share my passion, experiences and love for this school with others.
Elizabeth Brentano - St. Paul, OR
Horticulture with an option in Sustainable Horticulture Production
I grew up on my family’s crop and tree farm in St. Paul, Oregon where we grow shade trees, filberts, grass seed, garlic, squash, and more. This sparked my passion for agriculture from a very young age. I further diversified my agricultural background by participating in 4-H and FFA swine projects throughout grade school and high school. My commitment to agriculture was cemented in high school when I joined FFA and became involved with networking and advocating for agricultural industries.
My experiences from farming and FFA made it easy for me to find my way to the College of Agricultural Sciences at OSU. I became heavily involved with the college right away, becoming a member of the Steer-A-Year feedlot club, Collegiate FFA, Crop Science Club, and currently serving as the Collegiate Farm Bureau President. I am also a part of the 2020 cohort of the College of Agriculture Leadership Academy.
One of the greatest experiences College of Ag has allowed me to pursue is fulfilling my dream of studying abroad. I spent the most amazing 5 months living and studying at Lincoln University in New Zealand. I was able to fully immerse myself in the country which allowed me to grow individually and learn a lot about other cultures.
Although I thoroughly enjoy both the crop and animal sides of agriculture, my passion for farming became evident through my experiences and led me to decide on my horticulture major. Upon graduation, my goal is to have a career in nursery production.
I am both extremely honored and excited to serve this year as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences. I cannot wait to share my passion, experience, and knowledge of OSU, agriculture, and the Beavers (Go Beavs!) with prospective students and visitors.
Andrew Dunn - Sherwood, Oregon
Currently a Junior will be a Senior during ambassadorship. Double Majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Sciences.
I wasn't exposed to much agriculture growing up in Tualatin, Oregon until my family decided to move to Sherwood, Oregon where we purchased a 60 acre wheat field. I developed my true passion for the agricultural industry there and even more so when I joined FFA in high school. I competed in Parliamentary Procedure as chairman which helped build my leadership skills, and I also raised market hogs for our county fair which exposed me to my love for the Animal Production industry. After high school, I knew I wanted to go into agriculture and it was a pretty easy decision to choose Oregon State University.
While at Oregon State University, I’ve been able to take advantage of so many opportunities throughout my college career. A big thing has been working for the department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences since my freshman year. I had the opportunity to work at the Hogg Animal Metabolism Laboratory barn where I assisted in feed trials for feedlot steers. I currently work at the OSU Swine Center as a student employee. On top of that I am a part of the College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Academy which has built my skills as a leader and has helped me grow in my club officer roles. I also got to take advantage of an educational agricultural tour the summer going into my sophomore year where we travelled down south to Texas and Louisiana. We had the opportunity to learn all about the different kinds of farming done in that area of the country.
These experiences have led to my long term goal of becoming an agriculture educator. Aside from growing academically, the College of Agricultural Sciences has become my community, making lifelong friends, Corvallis my home, and building tight connections with professors and mentors.
I am beyond honored to represent the College of Agricultural Sciences as a member of the 2020-2021 Agricultural Ambassador team at Oregon's Land Grant College. It excites me to share my stories and experiences over the last few years and make more along the way. I look forward to networking and building new connections with students, staff, and others. As well as meeting and inspiring students on their path through college, as always Go Beavs!
Emily Eckhardt - Grants Pass, OR
Senior majoring in Food Science and Technology
A double option in Food Science and Fermentation A minor in Chemistry
Growing up in Southern Oregon I was exposed to agriculture, but never thought that I would end up in this part of the industry. I was always interested in science and wanted to become involved in some way. After I was here at OSU, I discovered my major and found my passion for Food Science.
Since arriving at OSU, I have found many ways to become involved. I am a member of the Food Science and Technology club, and Sigma Delta Omega which is sorority founded here at OSU for women in science. I also had the opportunity to participate in a Branch Experiment Station internship through the College of Agricultural Sciences last year at the Food Innovation Center in Portland, Oregon.
I am mostly looking forward to getting to meet and talk to incoming students through my ambassador role. I have had such amazing experiences in the College of Agricultural Sciences and I see this as my opportunity to give back to the program. My hope is to help future students have the same amazing experience that I have had!
Tyler Kammeyer
Senior majoring in Agricultural Business Management
Minor in Animal Science
Growing up on a family farm located in the northern Willamette Valley, my love and appreciation for agriculture was coursing through my veins since before I could even drive my first tractor. From a young age, I was heavily involved in 4-H, where I showed beef cattle, competed in public speaking events, and cultivated my leadership skills.
My diverse farming and ranching background awarded me the unique opportunity to experience a myriad of agricultural commodities and a wide range of the industry as a whole. Because of these experiences, I made quick work of picking a specified discipline within the agricultural industry for my future career; business, finance, and applied economics.
Here on campus, I am the Student Director for the CAS Ambassador Program, the Senior Events Associate in the Department of Recreational Sports, an officer in the Steer-A-Year feedlot club, an Academic Quiz Bowl representative for the Department of Applied Economics, and a retired member of the CAS Leadership Academy Cohort.
I am excited to represent the College of Agricultural Sciences as their Ambassador Program Student Director, and I hope to make a positive impact on as many prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and University stakeholders as possible.
Maizy Kesterson - Medford, Oregon
Junior majoring in Fish and Wildlife Sciences
Growing up in a rural area in Medford, exposed me to many areas of agriculture but I had never become hands-on or truly known much about the practices. However, I have always known that I have a passion for the outdoors and the animals that call the wild home. My passion for connecting human agricultural practices and the conservation of wildlife, led me to choose the Fish and Wildlife degree.
During my first year of college, I attended another university located in Montana pursuing the same degree but after my second semester, I knew that I wanted more. The decision to transfer universities led me straight to OSU. OSU has a learning atmosphere that I knew I wanted to be a part of. Although I never thought that I would find myself in an agricultural program for my degree, the College of Agricultural Sciences has given me so many experiences that I never would have had in other programs. The Fish and Wildlife classes are always applicable to real-life skills that I can use when I enter the career field and the connections that the teaching staff create with students allows for greater opportunities for research and internships.
Here on campus, I am a member of the Wildlife Society, the College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Academy, and I am in an undergraduate mentor program in which I work with a graduate student to study ocelots in Brazil using trail cameras.
I am so excited to represent the College of Agricultural Sciences as an ambassador this year! I can’t wait to share the love I have and experiences I have made in this college to incoming students looking for their new home!
Hannah McAuliffe - Malin, OR
Junior/Senior majoring in Agricultural Science
Growing up in a small farming community located in Southern Oregon gave me inspiration to find a future that dealt with agriculture. I gained experience in agriculture through FFA in high school and working for local farmers during my summer breaks, which is how I discovered that becoming an agricultural educator was my calling.
I grew up a Beavers fan and had the chance to come to campus at a young age and fell in love with it. When I discovered I wanted to study agriculture, it solidified that Oregon State University was meant for me. I was drawn to the College of Agricultural Sciences because of the sense of community and support I felt, and the variety of academic programs. This led me to choosing Agricultural Science as my major.
Here on campus, I am a member of the Agricultural Education Club, a member of the Steer-A-Year Club, the service chair for the Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, a member of the College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Academy, and the Office Management Intern for Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom.
I am honored to serve as a College of Agricultural Sciences Ambassador for the 2020-2021 school year. This college has given me many opportunities to improve my professional, educational, and personal development and I feel privileged to be able to give back to the college and Oregon State University as a whole.
Emily Nix
Junior Majoring in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on Agricultural Education Minor in Leadership.
I grew up on a large ranch in western Oregon, where we ran a small herd of cattle and harvested hay, so there is no question that my roots are grounded in agriculture. With a desire to develop my skills and knowledge in various aspects of the industry, I started off showing market hogs in 4-H when I was only ten. As I grew older, other opportunities such as FFA allowed me to grow in my industry knowledge and develop my skills in agriculturally focused leadership through competitions. I participated in competitions for agricultural sales, floriculture, and livestock evaluation.
My family has always been a group of beaver fans, so Oregon State had always been on my radar when deciding which university to attend. With my interests falling heavily in agriculture, there was no question that I would end up calling OSU home. I started off as an Agricultural Business Management major, with a focus on Agricultural Communications and Marketing. After my first year though, I learned that my heart was in education, so I am now preparing to be an agricultural educator for high school students.
While at Oregon State, I have become a Fellow in the College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Academy, where I have worked on professional and personal leadership development. Networking, self-assessments, and growth have been just a few of the topics we have covered. My involvement in this cohort inspired me to connect to CAS in other ways, which is why I initially applied to become an ambassador.
By serving as a College of Agricultural Sciences Ambassador, I am eager to reach prospective students to promote our Agriculture Department here at Oregon State. I am honored to represent Oregon’s Land Grant University, and I look forward to the year ahead.