A CFANS senior reflects and looks ahead

ADYNN STEDILLIE, PLANT SCIENCE, BS '24; Recipient of a 2024 President's Student Leadership and Service Award at the University of Minnesota

I wanted to attend a larger university like the U of M because of the opportunities that came with attendance: conducting research, joining student groups and clubs, and taking advantage of the plentiful resources that were offered to me. My senior year of high school, I became involved with the Minnesota Youth Institute, a program offered through CFANS to research an environmental issue in another country. This is a wonderful program I would recommend to any high schooler. I gained a passion for research and the environment, a nifty scholarship for participating, and as I proceeded to the Global Youth Institute with my paper, I was able to stay involved as I transitioned into a CFANS student and assist as an ambassador for the program. 

I began my first fall semester and joined the Research Apprenticeship Program so that I could get a head start on engaging myself in topics that I wanted to learn more about in Plant Science, and was able to join Grossman Lab as a research assistant where I studied soil enzymes in organic cover crop rotations. Four years later as I graduate, I am happy to say I have been there ever since! Covid was a major barrier my first two years of college and limited how I explored campus, and it was difficult to make the transition between high school and college. Seeking out these initial opportunities kept me out of my dorm and working on major-related projects that I really enjoyed.

My sophomore year I completed my independent research project and joined an additional lab where I experienced plant breeding, specifically with potatoes. My family referred to me as a potato farmer for the entire year! Which wasn’t exactly incorrect, as I spent the summer in the potato fields planting, harvesting, and doing greenhouse work. I discovered that I loved UMN women's hockey games and Mim’s Cafe had the best chai lattes. My junior year was my strongest yet, as I found my stride in classes I really enjoyed and continued with undergraduate research. I added three minors onto my degree because there is just so much in Plant Science to learn about, how could I choose just one? That summer, I spent a few days a week in the advising office helping with freshman orientation and Welcome Week. I interned at Como Park Conservatory where I worked alongside their horticulture team and learned so much about botanical collections and public gardens. Plus, I got to say "hello" to Mumford the lion every morning. The CFANS Unpaid Internship Grant made this possible for me and I’m grateful I was able to pursue these opportunities.

Each year got better as I pursued niches in CFANS that brought me joy and people who shared similar motivations and interests. I joined the McCaghey Lab to research plant pathology after a class I took the previous semester and really loved it. I conducted independent research studying apothecia production in controlled environments. This project was very hands-on and I had the opportunity to put lots of my own input into the project, and presented my poster at the CFANS Research Symposium.

The best choice I made for myself was joining the CFANS Student Engagement Team, a new team in the Student Services Office that focuses on engaging CFANS students through events and activities— exactly what I had wanted going into my undergraduate program. I was able to work directly with students and plan meaningful events, notably the Leadership Series in spring semester where undergraduate students honed their leadership and community building skills. This is one of my proudest achievements and I am really happy with how it went, and received great feedback. I was nominated for the President's Student Leadership and Service Award, which I am very grateful to have received. As I look forward to graduation and ending strong, I also look back on everything I have accomplished so far. I am proud of myself for how I made the most of my experience, especially since I had a more difficult start than intended and had to change my expectations. 

As I look forward to graduation and ending strong, I also look back on everything I have accomplished so far. I am proud of myself for how I made the most of my experience, especially since I had a more difficult start than intended and had to change my expectations. 

I am very grateful for the scholarships I received through CFANS donors. They made it possible for me to continue my education. I will start my career in environmental science shortly after graduation at Kimley-Horn, but plan to stay connected to my College and continue to advocate for the same programs that benefitted me so much.