Mandy enjoys the scenery and slower pace in Guelph compared to her experience living in the city of Toronto. She was able to combine her passion for food, science, and business by taking the Food Industry Management program and gained hands-on experience during her co-op term. She is involved in the campus community at U of G and plans to make an impact in the food industry after graduation.
Sarah is a third year environmental sciences co-op student. In her spare time, she volunteers as a writer for The Ontarion, independant newspaper at the University of Guelph. Passionate about the environment, she is particularly interested in water conservation and plans to explore graduate studies after completing her degree or pursue a career related to water.
Originally from Alberta, William is working toward completing a master's of science in plant agriculture. William developed an interest in agricultural research during his undergraduate which helped his decision to pursue further education. William hopes to continue working in agricultural research and advancing current agricultural practices in a sustainable direction.
Vanessa is a fourth year Bachelor of Science – Plant Science student. She was drawn to the University of Guelph by the plant science program, the Arboretum, and the conservatory. She hopes to pursue a master's to continue research in plant conservation.
Casandra is a lifelong learner and decided to return to the University of Guelph (U of G) as a mature student. She completed her undergraduate studies in international development and masters in capacity development and extension at U of G. Casandra is pursuing her doctoral studies while working, which is not an easy feat. After graduation, she plans to continue her work, hopes to teach other learners and suspects a postdoctoral fellowship will be in her near future.
Riley is a 4th year student in the Environment and Resource Management Co-op program. He was drawn to the University of Guelph (U of G) during a campus tour, and by its unique environmental and resource management program. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, hanging out on campus, and exploring local restaurants in downtown Guelph.
Busayo grew up in Nigeria and completed her master’s degree in environmental sciences at the University of Guelph. She is following her passion for soil science research while pursuing a PhD on organic waste reactions in the soil, with a focus on phosphorus. Busayo plans to continue her work and and contribute to research on sustainable agriculture in the future.
As an economics student, I never would have imagined getting experience in a field like communications. Upon starting my studies in the food, agricultural and resource economics (FARE) program, I couldn’t describe what the communications career choice even entailed. But one thing I knew for sure was that becoming an economist was out of the question for my future.
Sonia grew up in Vancouver and completed her bachelor’s degree in environmental design at the University of British Columbia. Here at the University of Guelph (U of G), she is continuing to pour her passion for design into her research which focuses on landscape design for wildfire management in the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program. Sonia looks forward to a career as an accredited landscape architect where she will contribute to communities in meaningful ways, designing landscapes for people to enjoy and where nature can flourish.
The undergrad experience is certainly a journey filled with triumph, despair, and everything in between. From my experience, undergrad has done a fine job of breaking me down and building me up in ways I would have never imagined possible for the naive young 17-year-old who was responsible for me even being here, at U of G, in the first place.