Students Karshanna Johnson and Rodrick Patterson receive scholarships to attend Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference

Two Alcorn State University students will participate in a conference that will boost their knowledge in agriculture.

Bassfield, Mississippi native Karshanna Johnson, a graduate student majoring in agriculture economics, and Leland, Mississippi native Rodrick Patterson, a senior who’s also majoring in agriculture economics, have been invited to attend the 2016 Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference Sunday, Oct. 16 through Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The students were awarded the Minorities in Natural Resources Conservation scholarship to attend the conference.

The conference is a forum for the exchange of ideas and critical information regarding the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources primarily in the southeast. The conference attracts over 500 representatives from state and federal agencies, citizen’s organizations, universities and private wildlife research groups. The students are the only two representatives from the state of Mississippi.

Karshana hopes to increase her knowledge of fish and wildlife at the conference.

“I hope to gain insight on the Department of Fisherman as a whole,” said Karshana. “Attending this conference will provide me with knowledge concerning career options and the duties that comes with working in the field. I’m hoping to learn a bunch of valuable information.”

Receiving a scholarship to attend the conference is something that Rodrick appreciates. He said that the stipend will enable them to take advantage of a great opportunity.

“Receiving the scholarship stipend is a blessing,” said Rodrick. “It’s really beneficial because it allows us to go further in our education, and it provides us with opportunities such as this one that would help us in our careers. It’s going to be a great experience.”

Director of Career Services Dr. Joey Mitchell is proud of the students’ efforts to progress in their education and careers.

“I am very proud of our students,” said Mitchell. “The conference will educate them about career opportunities in natural resources and conservation. Educating our students is essentially important in helping them choose the right career.”

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