Image
Central State University shines at MANRRS national conference in Memphis, Tennessee
By Cyril Ibe, Interim Communications Coordinator, Land-Grant Communications
Posted Apr 23 2025
Central State University is celebrating its students’ achievements and experiences at the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 39th annual Training Conference & Career Expo in Memphis, Tennessee, where they garnered more than $20,000 in both individual and group scholarships and returned with boosted morale for the future.
“Immense pride” filled the heart of Dr. Susan Speight, Central State Assistant Professor of Agriculture, who serves as the chapter’s faculty adviser, in the banquet hall where the scholarships were announced in Memphis.
“A lot of these students are first-generation college students,” she said. “They wouldn’t have had the opportunities to attend these sorts of events, to get the contacts that they got, to be in the room where those decisions are made. So, MANRRS gives them those opportunities. To have as many awards as we were able to (get), to get a Chapter of Excellence Award a year and half into putting our chapter together, that’s absolutely awesome.”
Central State’s MANRRS chapter was re-chartered in January 2024 and now boasts 20 dues-paying members.
Keiana Briscoe, a graduating senior in Biology and Sustainable Agriculture, won second place in the national undergraduate research oral presentation competition, marking the chapter’s first national contest entry. At the same time, eight members of the CSU MANRRS chapter were awarded between $500 and $1,500 in academic scholarships. Group scholarships were used to cover travel and hotel expenses for 12 students and two faculty members for the four-day conference.
Jairus Burrows, a graduating senior in Biology, won a total of $5,500 in scholarships from three different sources, including a $3,000 John Deere Scholarship, a $1,500 Cargill Thrive Scholarship, and a $1,000 Animal Health and Care Academy Fellow Scholarship.
“I received three scholarships this year from MANRRS, and those scholarships I used to cover my student balances so that I can graduate, and the rest of the funds will be used to help navigate into graduate school, specifically veterinary school. It’s been very helpful,” Burrows said.
He added, “It felt great to be recognized as a minority within STEM. Oftentimes, you don’t get the opportunity to do these things. It just felt good to know that what I am doing is bigger than myself and that I am excelling.”
Led by Chantinae Gray, president of the CSU chapter, and Dr. Speight, the delegation returned with a renewed vision for the chapter’s future.
“This was the first year that we participated in contests at the national convention, and I can only hope that this will encourage even more participation next year,” Speight said.
Marauders attended workshops, breakout sessions, and panel discussions designed to enhance leadership, academic, and career development.
“One of the most impactful takeaways was the opportunity to connect with professionals and peers from across the country who are leading in agriculture, environmental science, and related fields,” said Gray, a graduating senior in Sustainable Agriculture.
“It was inspiring to see the range of career paths and research being pursued — it really reinforced the importance of representation and community in these spaces.”
From a slew of options at the conference, Gray said she and fellow students immersed themselves in career development and gained skills that would serve them well beyond the classroom.
“Attending the sessions helped us sharpen our leadership skills and deepen our understanding of key issues in our respective fields,” Gray said. “As the ‘now generation,’ we left feeling both empowered and equipped to bring fresh ideas and energy back to our campus and community.”
Feedback from CSU student attendees has been positive, according to Gray, noting that they said the conference boosted their confidence and opened their eyes to new possibilities post-graduation.
Central State University chapter awards:
MANRRS Chapter of Excellence Award.
$5,000 grant from Farm Credit Mid-America.
$1,500 scholarship from John Deere.
Individual awards:
Keiana Briscoe, second place undergraduate research presentation on “Oxidative stress in honeybees and small carpenter bees from three different landscapes” and $1,500 Cargill Thrive Scholarship
Mighty Marauders Quiz Bowl team (Da’Miracol East, Shawn Saturday, Heaven Strachan, and Meyah Pillow), Top 10 finisher
Chantinae Gray, $1,500 Cargill Thrive Scholarship and $500 MANRRS/NASDA Foundation Ag Policy Summit Fellow Scholarship
Jairus Burrows, $1,500 Cargill Thrive Scholarship, $3,000 John Deere Scholarship, and $1,000 Animal Health and Care Academy Fellow Scholarship.
Plamedie Kanjinga, $1,500 AGCO Agriculture Foundation Scholarship.
D’Anastacia Hutchinson, Sharnelle Coicous, and Kylethia Edgecombe, $1,000 Farm Credit VIP Scholarships (each)
Shawn Saturday, $500 MANRRS39 Gold Scholarship.
Student Ryan Lee also attended the conference.
The MANRRS Memphis conference has boosted the morale of the CSU chapter membership.
“There’s already a strong buzz about attending MANRRS 40,” Gray said. “More students are excited to get involved with our chapter, and several attendees were so inspired that they’ve decided to run for executive board positions. We are entering the next year with a strong lineup of new leaders who are committed to helping other students grow through MANRRS.”
For more information about the CSU chapter of MANRRS, contact Dr. Speight at sspeight@centralstate.edu.
