The Crop Sciences Student Ambassador Program is a volunteer student group composed of current undergraduate Crop Sciences students. Student Ambassadors serve as a resource to support undergraduate recruitment and provide feedback to improve the undergraduate student experience.
Below you’ll meet current Student Ambassadors. Read more about each one and learn about their student journey, including why they picked the Department of Crop Sciences!
Questions about our student ambassador program? Email ugrad@cropsciences.illinois.edu.
What is one thing you want people to know about being an undergraduate student in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois?
There are so many opportunities, and the community is so big that there is a place for everyone if you look hard enough!
Tell us a little bit of what do you do outside of classes?
Outside of the classroom I am a member of the Alpha gamma Rho fraternity and a member of the Field and Furrow club. I work for Syngenta in Monticello Illinois as a farm research intern until the end of the 2024 summer. I enjoy working for many farmers during harvest and planting season. During the offseason of farming winter, I hunt deer and waterfowl.
Why or how did you pick your major in the Department of Crop Sciences?
In high school I took AP Environmental Sciences, and my teacher’s infectious passion for global issues got me particularly interested in global food security. I loved science growing up and as I got older molecular biology fascinated me, so studying plant biotechnology as it relates to crops and improving food security was a perfect match.
Year in School: Senior
Crop Sciences Major: Natural Resources & Environmental Science and Crop Sciences (Agroecology)
Why did you pick the Department of Crop Sciences as your program of study?
I have been interested in environmental studies since a young age. There are numerous environmental issues, such as pollution and non-renewable energy use. Later, I discovered that agriculture is part of the ecosystem, and environmental issues also pose a huge threat to agroecology. Crop production and food safety are primary concerns around the world. In this way, I added Crop Sciences as my second major during my sophomore year to explore how to integrate environmental remediation into agroecosystem.
Year in School: Junior
Crop Sciences Major: Plant Biotechnology
What is your favorite part of being a student in Crop Sciences?
I was nervous about attending such a large university, fearing that I wouldn’t form any connections with my classmates or have classes that just a TA didn’t teach. The Crop Science department provided a small school feel with all the big school benefits. I’ve met amazing friends through the various courses I’ve taken and have great relationships with professors that are a part of the department. Crop Sciences is a very close-knit department that emphasizes making each student feel like they matter.
Crop Sciences Major: Agroecology
What is one thing that you want people to know about Crop Sciences, the College of ACES, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
The class sizes are one of the best parts. They're a perfect size and provide a great opportunity for getting to know others with similar interests.
Crop Sciences Major: Plant Biotechnology
What is one thing you want people to know about Crop Sciences, the College of ACES (Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences), or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
The College of ACES is an amazing college that is so friendly and here to help you succeed. The Crop Science department has amazing helpful professors who want to see you succeed.
Crop Sciences Major: Plant Biotechnology and Actuarial Science
What is your favorite part of being a student in the Department of Crop Sciences?
I love almost every aspect that Crop Sciences has to offer. It has a great advisor (Erika Olivares is really dedicated to helping her students), world-renowned faculty (who offer a wide range of research opportunities), and, last but not least, supportive classmates.
Crop Sciences Major: Crop Sciences with a Crop Agribusiness concentration
Why did you pick the Department of Crop Sciences as your program of study?
My family's ties to agriculture's crop side initially sparked my interest. But, knowing that I wanted to work alongside growers to advance their operations was the deciding point.
Crop Sciences Major: Crop Sciences with a concentration in Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
What is one thing you want people to know about Crop Sciences, the College of ACES, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
Even though the campus seems very large, once you are in your individual college it feels very small and like a large family. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your peers or professors; everyone is here to help.