Introduction

Hello, 

I am a new Agronomy Ambassador this year studying Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology at Purdue. I am a rising senior, looking forward to my 4th year in undergrad, but I was not always a student at Purdue. I spent my freshman year and part of my sophomore year at the University of Iowa studying general biology. 

The University of Iowa is a medical school, and by the beginning of my sophomore year I realized I wanted nothing to do with the medical sciences. I grew up with a passion for plant biology and an interest in genetics. I have always been food conscious due to allergies and wanted to pursue my studies in the agricultural sciences. 

Transferring was a rough process. I looked at a few schools around the Midwest, the top three contenders being University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Iowa State, and Purdue. 

I wanted to be closer to my home in northern Illinois and Iowa State was a bit far. I also wanted to feel safe on campus, and Ames, Iowa was not the most inviting. U of IL was a closer contender with Purdue, but I found that the plant biotech program in U of IL was relatively new compared to Purdue’s program which was well-cemented into the curriculum. 

Purdue had a more situated Plant Biotech program and a safer campus. It was also closer to home and my family. Purdue was also the first school to get back to me after I applied, which made the over-winter transferring process slightly easier.

I transferred into Purdue Spring of 2024 with a fresh start at college. I was quick to make friends, many who shared a love for science and agriculture. I had never been so excited to learn. It was the first time I actually looked forward to my classes. 

Fast forward three semesters and I am adding on to my undergraduate degree, this being a minor in weed science. I wanted to get involved early so I joined agronomy club and partook in many fun activities through the college of agriculture. I was lucky to get a crop tech internship over the summer with Keystone Coop which gave me an opportunity to earn a drone piloting license and a lot more field experience. One thing I am most excited about this semester will be working as an undergrad research assistant in one of the agronomy labs. 

Boiler Up!