MDC Student Selected for the 2009 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program
Miami, February 5, 2009 - A recent announcement by the Department of Agriculture on the selection of 18 students to attend the USDA's 2009 Agricultural Outlook Forum brings great pride and honor to Miami Dade College (MDC). Evelina Arzanova, an Honors College student at the North Campus, is among those chosen nationwide.
Arzanova, a native of Uzbekistan and biology major, said she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science and eventually attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist. She hopes this experience will expose her to new possibilities.
“It is a proud moment for MDC. Evelina is the only community college student among the Land Grant and Hispanic Serving Institutions from which the deserving honorees were selected,” said North Campus President Dr. José A. Vicente. “The opportunity presented by the forum is paramount in promoting student learning, career interest in agriculture and the sciences overall, particularly at a time when the nation seeks to address the opportunities created as a result of 50 percent of the scientific workforce slated to retire in the next ten years.”
The forum, titled "Global Agriculture & Rural America in Transition," is USDA's largest annual event and will be held Feb. 26 and 27 in Arlington, Va. Distinguished guests from the private sector and academia will be present, including President of Agri-Pulse Communications Sara Wyant, CEO of Syngenta International AG Michael Mack, President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Chris Policinski, Chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Inc. Daniel Yergin, and Syracuse University Professor Catherine Ann Bertini.
The selection of honorees was based on essay submissions, in addition to recommendations from their institutions. Other students chosen represent California State University-Fresno, University of Florida, Virginia State University, University of Idaho, University of Minnesota, and Kansas State University, among others.
USDA's Office of the Chief Economist and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service launched the program in 2007 to help provide students with a unique insight into their agricultural studies.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu