Shannon Parrish, a senior in agribusiness at the UGA Tifton campus, has taken advantage of the smaller campus size and is well prepared to begin her career in the agricultural profession.
Hometown:
Alapaha, Ga.
High School:
Berrien County High School
Degree objective:
B.S.A. in agribusiness
Expected graduation:
Fall 2013
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
The University of Georgia Tifton campus presents possibilities for personal and professional advancement through the availability and promotion of extracurricular contributions. Serving as the 2012-2013 UGA Tifton Agribusiness Club president has proven to be an opportunity like no other. As president, I preside over chapter meetings and direct the organization and implementation of various agricultural leadership projects. I also address prospective agricultural students through recruitment and development projects at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.
I also am serving as a UGA Ambassador. Becoming and experiencing the role of an ambassador has cultivated a superior awareness of collegial and professional honor that has afforded me the opportunity to aid others in attaining qualities representative of UGA standards. Additionally in 2013, Southscape magazine awarded me the opportunity to articulate UGA Tifton campus agribusiness student experiences through the publication of an article entitled “Small class, big business.” I was selected to be featured within the article along with one Tifton campus alumnus and a professor/instructional adviser.
Current Employment:
I am employed as a clerical services worker with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division—Agricultural Permitting Unit. Within operations of the unit, I assist in the preparation of agricultural permits for irrigation, livestock and aquaculture use. Additional responsibilities include collecting well data for Georgia counties, processing and transitioning files, and inputting and updating permit data. Working for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has served to reinforce agribusiness curriculum objectives, while fostering a deeper commitment to the agricultural profession.
Family Ties to UGA:
Although no one in my family has attended UGA, I believe UGA is a great university to begin a family tradition.
I chose to attend UGA because…
A diverse agricultural background has fostered my aspiration to pursue a degree in agribusiness. The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Tifton campus presents opportunities for the pursuit of an agribusiness degree for residents of South Georgia. Featuring a small campus and class size, the Tifton campus offers an atmosphere conducive to educational and professional development. Strong connections are enabled through frequent interactions with professors and peers. While earning a B.S.A. in agribusiness, I have been fortunate to continue fostering connections with agricultural businesses and professionals within my community.
When I have free time, I like…
Leisure activities in which I indulge include playing tennis, reading and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends. I am of the firm belief that establishing a strong and stable support system instills essential values which in turn foster qualities of success in a person over a lifetime.
My favorite place to study is…
Studying allows for the reflection of ideas once encountered and the attainment of knowledge not yet discovered. The conference room in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Building at the Tifton CAES campus is my ideal place for study. The quiet environment allows for complete focus of attention and reflection of ideas, thus allowing me to work endlessly without any potential interruption.
My favorite professor is…
Selecting one favorite professor is not an easy assignment. All of the professors at the UGA Tifton campus have sacrificed greatly for the success of each student. Don Shurley, Nathan Smith and Amanda Smith have served as mentors to me. Their instruction has promoted the attainment of professional knowledge, skills and demeanor. Curt Lacy has also been an exceptional instructor. He has motivated me to become a more successful student and a prolific leader.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
I would spend the afternoon with my Papa prior to his development of Alzheimer’s. I would embrace the opportunity to share in his wisdom and experiences as a farmer who saw vast change in agricultural utilization and process.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… begin a sustainable agricultural farm. Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, plant and animal products using farming techniques that do not pose threat or harm to the environment, the welfare of animals or public health.
