UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Four graduates of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently returned to campus to discuss success in class to success in life as guest speakers on a minority alumni panel, hosted by the college’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Percy Twine Jr., Kamsi Gerry-Ofor, Maurice Smith Jr. and Jessica Linder shared their stories with faculty and staff, the Diversity Coordinating Council, and students, including the Penn State chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, known as MANRRS.
“We are so proud of our alumni and the opportunity to gain from their insights, advice and recommendations to our faculty, staff, students and administrators,” said Patreese Ingram, assistant dean for multicultural affairs.
Twine, originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in food science. Upon completing graduate studies, he attended the University of Pennsylvania for his dental training and continued his specialty training in endodontics at Louisiana State University. He was on the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health faculty in Mesa, Arizona, until 2016.
Twine said his father drove his decision to attend Penn State. “He knew Penn State would give me the best education and experience, and he was right,” he said.
Once at the University, Twine had to decide on a major, so he met with multiple program directors, including Robert Roberts, who was then an associate professor of food science.
“He explained that food science is a foundation for many different careers,” Twine said of his conversation with Roberts, who now is head of the Department of Food Science. “I could be an engineer, a microbiologist or literally whatever I wanted to be. That versatility appealed to me.”
As an undergraduate, Twine assisted with research and participated in extracurricular activities, including concert band and rugby. But what he valued most was the support he received.
“Like other students, I was constantly challenged, but the College of Ag Sciences provided a support system,” he said. “If you were accountable, they were there to help. I’ve taught at multiple universities, and it’s not the same as it is at Penn State.”
Originally from Nigeria, Gerry-Ofor followed in her older brother’s footsteps and applied to Penn State. She said she always had a creative flair and thought those talents matched best with an architectural engineering degree.
However, shortly into her second year, she changed her mind. Her adviser provided her with a few options that would enable her not to lose any credits she already had earned. One of those options was the landscape contracting major.
“This was the first time I had heard about landscape contracting,” she said. “I knew I had a knack for innovation and a love for plants and gardening, so I went into the College of Ag Sciences not knowing what to expect. But this change would allow me to make my mark on the planet.”
Gerry-Ofor said she was able to thrive thanks to support from the faculty and staff and MANRRS, which she learned about through Derek James, coordinator for multicultural affairs in the college. “There were times when I felt no one understood me,” she said. “I remember walking into my first MANRRS meeting and thinking, ‘this is where you all have been.’ It was amazing.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree, she joined Live Green Landscape Associates in Baltimore, Maryland, where she designs and manages residential landscape projects, a career that she said is rewarding.
Smith, of Sussex County, Virginia, works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, where he serves as a national program leader in the Division of Community and Education. In this role, he provides leadership for positive youth development programs emphasizing minority-serving institutions and underserved youth.
Before joining NIFA, Smith served as an assistant professor and extension specialist in 4-H youth development at Virginia State University.
The doctoral degree he earned in agricultural and extension education and his activities at Penn State, including MANRRS and the Black Graduate Student Association, enabled him to grow personally and professionally.
“Living in an unfamiliar community can be tough,” Smith said. “That can be challenging on top of everything a college student has to deal with, including any barriers one might face.”
What made a difference for him was finding a support network, which included his academic adviser, leadership within the college, faculty, and other administrators, including the University associate dean for graduate educational equity.
“A mentor can help push you through certain situations,” Smith said. “It is having somebody to talk with who has had similar experiences and can provide advice and perspective. One thing I wished I had done sooner was to seek help instead of thinking that I had to solve problems on my own. There are so many resources available and people who want to help, so you are never alone.”
Linder holds a bachelor’s degree in veterinary and biomedical sciences, after which she earned a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She moved to Florida for a year, completing a small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at the University of Florida. She currently is completing a residency in neurology and neurosurgery at Purdue.
Growing up in northeastern New Jersey, Linder said she was familiar only with small-animal veterinary medicine, so she wanted to choose an undergraduate program that would give her a comprehensive view of the field.
“From the get-go, the College of Agricultural Sciences did a wonderful job of making sure that I was seen and given the building blocks I needed to succeed,” she said. “I learned about opportunities available to me in the field, including large-animal medicine and how animal health is intertwined with human health.”
Her advice for students, especially those entering the veterinary field, is to be mindful of their mental health and seek support if they are struggling. She also recommends being open to new experiences. For her, being a member of MANRRS and the Pre-Vet Club broadened her friendships and professional network.
“Say yes to experiences,” she said. “Go to clubs, attend conferences and get to know people from different backgrounds. It will make you a well-rounded person who is compassionate, empathetic and ready to make a difference."