Boundless Science Season 2: Cultivating Cultures

Agriculture is a widespread industry with a diverse population. In this episode of Boundless Science, Dr. Angeleah Browdy, the Director of the Office of Academic Support at the University of Florida, joins Kyleigh Hilburn, UF AEC doctoral student, to discuss the intersection of science and agriculture. Throughout this episode Dr. Browdy talks about how MANRRS has influence her career, and how the Office of Academic Support helps under resourced student at the UF.  Tune in now to hear of all the different cultures represented within agriculture. #boundlessscience #season2

Keywords: Academic supports, underrepresented students, MANRRS, University of Florida

#BoundlessScienceseason2

Transcript

Kyleigh: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome back to Streaming Science. My name is Kyleigh Hilburn, and I am a first year doctoral student at the University of Florida and the Agriculture Education and Communication Department. You are currently listening to a student led podcast series called Boundless Science, the goal of this series to connect you with experts in a variety of topics.

Kyleigh: For this episode, I interviewed the University of Florida's Director of Academic Support. Dr. Browdy. We talked about Dr. Browdy's academic background, what MANRRS is, and what Dr. Browdy's current role is. I hope you enjoyed this episode Boundless science.

Kyleigh: Hello and welcome back to Streaming Science. My name is Kyleigh Hilburn and I am a first year PhD student. within the Agriculture Education and Communication Department at the University of Florida. And today I have a very [00:01:00] special guest with me. I'm so excited for you guys to hear what she has to say. And so if you can go ahead and introduce yourself.

Dr. Browdy: Thank you. Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here and I'm just honored that I have the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Questions and topics that we're going to explore today. But, um, I'm Angelia Browdy. I am the director for the office of academic support here at the University of Florida, where I oversee undergraduate programs, specifically the promise program, as well as a UF SSS trio program.

Dr. Browdy: So again, that's me. And, um, also, I think it's. Probably appropriate for me to mention that in the past I have served as an advisor for, um, MANRRS, M A N R R S. So yes, it's a pleasure to be here. 

Kyleigh: And so before we get too, um, far into it, um, you just gave us a short version of everything that you do here at the University of Florida.

Kyleigh: But tell us a little bit about your background, how you got here, and all of the steps that it took. [00:02:00] 

Dr. Browdy: So we often hear about, um, you know, You start out in college with all these different majors, but different majors can lead to the same career path. And I also think that sometimes we find out that you may major in one thing and end up where your career kind of diverges a little bit.

Dr. Browdy: And I'm a good example of the diverging. So, um, yeah, I have a background in agricultural sciences, so to speak, because I was trained as a food scientist. Specifically, um, more in the area of food chemistry, food biochemistry. Um, and I actually started my career here at University of Florida in Food Science and Human Nutrition within CALS, the College of Ag and Life Sciences.

Dr. Browdy: And during my work with CALS as a faculty, faculty advisor, I kind of developed real interest in advising and working with students in a different capacity. So, although it wasn't an easy decision, um, it was a decision to sort of step back from the research, from the teaching, and, [00:03:00] Move to the dark side. It really is the dark side, but you know, that's what we say in terms of administrating.

Dr. Browdy: Um, and so I again transitioned from practicing as a food scientist to more of an administrative role, still working with undergraduate students to a large extent, but just in a different capacity. And so now, again, I am involved in providing, uh, support services, coordinating programs for the students that we serve as a part of the UF Promise Program and our UF SSS TRIO Program.

Kyleigh: Being a, you being a food scientist, um, is just so cra not crazy, but ironic because when I was in my undergrad, I was an animal science major at a different university, um, and really thought about picking up that food science because I was like, I love to know, like, where my food's coming from and all of the things like that.

Kyleigh: And so how was it pursuing that degree? Um, because again, when you think of agriculture, I think a lot of people don't really necessarily like first think, oh, food science and there's science behind how you're getting your food. So how [00:04:00] was it like pursuing that degree at that time? 

Dr. Browdy: Yeah, so You often hear that food science is a found major, and it is right on spot, because I did not start out my undergraduate career thinking anywhere near about food science.

Dr. Browdy: I had thought about, just like lots of students think about, Oh, I'm going to be a doctor pre professional, you know, you talk about what you know, you hear about the lawyers, you hear about the engineering, you hear about, you know, becoming a medical doctor, you know, you hear about all those things, but there are those found majors or majors that are less Less known that students are less aware about.

Dr. Browdy: And definitely I was a product of that. Just not having that awareness of all the different, you know, career opportunities work that are available. So I did not land upon being a food science major to well into my undergraduate career after floundering flopping all over the place, changing my major several times.

Dr. Browdy: But the way I landed, um, with a [00:05:00] strong interest in food science, and by the way I was also a chemistry major at one time. Um, so I always was into sciences. I knew I liked that. But I took a seminar class in food science. So it was taught by Dr. Amir Islam, I'll never forget. And part of his one credit course was we had this big project.

Dr. Browdy: Right? And just like students can sometimes complain, I was one of those saying, Why are we doing all this work? She's supposed to do one class, one credit class. I'm supposed to be just sitting here learning more about, you know, food science. Now you want me to really do something with food science? But, um, I'll never forget my project was Italian ice and removing the sugar.

Dr. Browdy: And let me tell you, after that I was on fire. I was like, Oh, this is where this chemistry can be applied. Now it's not so abstract for me. But I can now see how the chemistry or the science behind our food really comes to fruition, right? And so that's how I landed in food science. And I think, Sometimes in other career areas, a lack of awareness and [00:06:00] somehow getting exposure with courses like seminars, these one credit courses that can really be instrumental in making our students, our undergraduates specifically, more aware of the wide breadth of areas that are available.

Dr. Browdy: And. There is nothing like having those types of courses in agriculture, because I really just think that when people think of agriculture, they think about agriculture of yesterday and they are really not in tune to agriculture 20. first century, which has changed dramatically. I don't think there's any area or aspect of science that is not connected to agriculture and life sciences.

Dr. Browdy: And that's why it's called agricultural life sciences, because there really is a strong connection. 

Kyleigh: And I agree with that so much. And the fact of like, Agriculture is this big, wide spread industry that like is kind of sprinkled in in a lot of different aspects of our life. When you did finally find food science [00:07:00] and you were like, Oh, this is, this is with an agriculture.

Kyleigh: Were you, were you shocked that you had found, um, a profession in agriculture? Is that something you had previously in your background? Or did you kind of just, like you said, you kind of found it, you kind of find your way. Um, and so when you were like, Oh yeah, this is ag, like, how did that, how did that feel?

Dr. Browdy: Interesting question. I don't think I thought about it that way. But now that I'm reflecting on it, what I haven't said is that I'm from this small town in Florida called Wauchula, which is very rural. So I don't think I've ever been far from agriculture. You know, lots of citrus, lots of pork industry, uh, beef cattle.

Dr. Browdy: So I'm, I'm sort of like indirectly, I didn't grow up on a farm, but I'm like a farm girl. You know, and so for me, it was not majorly a major surprise to say, Oh, food science and agriculture. But even when you, when I thought about and I landed on food science, it didn't even connect to me, food science and agriculture.

Dr. Browdy: I just connected with food science as my major. And so it wasn't [00:08:00] probably until I, you know, started matriculating through the program. That I'm like, okay, wait a minute. I'm in the College of Agriculture. And so it is not always that food science is in a college of agriculture. There's food science and human nutrition.

Dr. Browdy: And some universities have those two merit together, but they're not necessarily sitting in an agricultural college. Um, and so I don't think it really dawned on me at the time. So no, I wasn't really surprised. You know, just, I think I was just happy that I found a major and I was headed somewhere and I could finally tell my parents I'm not, you know, no more interventions.

Dr. Browdy: Thank you. I'm, I'm good. I got this. I'm, I'm, I have some direction now and I see myself graduating at some point with a major that really will, I'll get a job and a nice paying job for, you know, an entry level position coming out as a student with a BS degree and something. So yeah. And we're happy about that.

Dr. Browdy: So, you know, 

Kyleigh: Definitely. And so, um, so you got your bachelor's in food science, but we're back at the University of Florida and there is [00:09:00] three very important letters behind your name, uh, PhD. Um, and so walk me through like what your, your journey for your master's and then your journey into your PhD, kind of where you were at, what you were focusing on.

Dr. Browdy: So, yes, nothing has ever been that direct for me. So when I graduated with my undergraduate degree in food science and technology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, uh, yay, go blue hens, I, um, wanted a job and I wasn't really thinking about graduate school at all.

Dr. Browdy: But I took a position where I was working on a project that was being funded by the USDA. . And Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, FAMU. That was my first job straight out of college. I actually found one of my lifelong mentors there. Um, and lifelong mean from the point that I started working there and onward.

Dr. Browdy: So even now today, I consider that a mentor and someone that I can talk to from time to time about career, professional, and you know, even personal [00:10:00] things sometimes. But at any rate, when I took on that job, I feel like it is contagious. I always say that, you know, you have to be careful when you're working around these academicians.

Dr. Browdy: Um, you get the academic bug. And I think, you know, kind of working in the area, thinking about possibilities, things that I could do, learning just how much I did not know. You know, you kind of graduate and you're like, okay, you got that degree, I know something, right? And then you start working and you realize.

Dr. Browdy: I may not know as much as I thought I did. It just like, the interest just kept growing. Um, with the projects. I was working more in product development. Doing a lot of analysis as well. I decided, okay at that point. Oddly enough, I decided I wanted to go and do a Masters. But I was thinking Pharmacy. I wasn't still thinking food science.

Dr. Browdy: I was still thinking of chemistry and that's again, I guess that's how I operate. I'm all over the place sometimes. But as I continued to think about it and shape where I wanted to go, I decided I was going to do a master's in food science. It made sense as I was working. I wasn't [00:11:00] giving up my job and I wanted to do it.

Dr. Browdy: I went to, um, Tallahassee eventually, um, is where this position landed me working with FAMU and I Completed my graduate master's degree at FSU in food science and human nutrition there. And, um, before I finished my master's degree, I was involved with FAMU. I had gotten introduced to MANRRS. And MANRRS will always be near and dear to me because I don't think without MANRRS, I don't really think that I would have had as strong of a fire.

Dr. Browdy: One, to continue in food science and to to go on to do the PhD. But obviously, I was starting to think about it. And at MANRRS, I was meeting people, doing presentations, getting that opportunity. So further professional development. And, um, I ran into someone that was at Penn State at the time who said, Hey, have you thought about doing a PhD?

Dr. Browdy: And, you know, we'd love to have you come on over. And, um, you know, work at Penn State and continue [00:12:00] your studies there. Well, long story short, we'll make it really short. Penn State didn't work out for me. I went there, um, I spent a semester, but the person I was going to work with the project just wasn't going to work out.

Dr. Browdy: But I'd also applied to the University of Rhode Island at the same time because I had, who's my husband now, but he was just my boyfriend then. You know, being the independent woman that I was. I'm like, I'm not following you. I have my own path and things that I'm going to do. If we're meant to be, we'll reconnect.

Dr. Browdy: But, you know, he was hearing me kind of go through my phase at Penn State and I had applied to Rhode Island. Um, at that time I was looking to find myself a new place on a new project to continue doing my PhD. Um, and it just worked out. Um, I contacted them and they were gracious enough to say, you turned us down, but we'll still bring you on, you know, okay, we can work something out.

Dr. Browdy: Um, they made me grovel a little bit. I must admit, it was like, Oh, call us back and we'll, we'll see how that's going to work out. But I did the groveling because I wanted to do my PhD. So, um, it [00:13:00] worked out well and, um, I ended up at Rhode Island. Um, my research became much more basic, still had, um, a relationship to food science, but I would say it's kind of took more of a biochemistry change.

Dr. Browdy: Um, I was working with yeast and sphingolipids and which sounds really basic, which it was, um, doing a lot of, um, enzyme, um, ..... Assays, assays, excuse me, protein purification and things like that. But again, the basics of science is applicable, many different areas of study and science and science is science.

Dr. Browdy: So it can be, it can infiltrate whether you're talking and then food science being very broad. So you talking microbiology or microorganisms, hence the yeast come in, um, you're talking about the composition of. food lipids. So here's the lipids coming in. So again, it's applicable to a number of different projects.

Dr. Browdy: So my research really bit ended up being classified as biological sciences, but I'm a foodie. I'm [00:14:00] a food scientist. So no matter how you want to talk about my specializations, I am a food scientist. 

Kyleigh: There was something about your story that really hit home and the fact of like you went to Penn State and you tried it for a semester and then you're like, Whoa, actually, hang on.

Kyleigh: This is, this is not working. Um, and I think that that's such like an important part of your story to tell because I also had a graduate program that I was like, that's where I'm going. That's, that's it. And it didn't work out. And like, that was a few years ago. It worked out for the bet, like for the better, where I stayed for my master's, I will always have a spot in my heart.

Kyleigh: If that graduate program worked out, I wouldn't be where I'm at. I wouldn't be who I am. And so sometimes like, it's okay, like, it's okay to get into something and be like, actually, pause, let's try something else. Let's go somewhere else. And I think that that's so, so important. And it's so nice to hear that, especially from you, who is at the University of Florida, has made their name here, is the director of this, like all of the things.

Kyleigh: And you're like, Yeah, like there's time that I'd just be like, wait, it's not working and that's okay. And so then you talked about MANRRS And so for our [00:15:00] listeners that don't know MANRRS is a organization The acronym means minorities in agriculture in natural resources and related systems Science. And so that's where you get the acronym.

Kyleigh: Um, and it's for again, any minorities within, or people that consider themselves a minority within agriculture, natural sciences, or related science. Um, and so myself being a native American at my previous institutions, I was not involved in MANRRS, but earlier you explained how much MANRRS meant to you and when you were able to get in it and like find those people and how it kept you going when like things got a little rough.

Kyleigh: And so if you can explain. Through your story and through your eyes, what MANRRS mean and how much MANRRS helped you to get where you're at today. 

Dr. Browdy: So I'm going to start by saying that MANRRS means something to me as a part of my network, as a part of the community. And that is something that I tell students all the time is really important, no matter what level of your [00:16:00] education that you're at as an undergraduate.

Dr. Browdy: matriculating on to a master's or a PhD, that building that sense of community, having network, having mentors, individuals that can build your confidence when you're as Wayne, and it will, um, when you find those challenges and you see that I went through some challenges that having that network or that community.

Dr. Browdy: Can be really important and it really should be a variety of things. You have your mentors, but you have professional organizations. You have all these other outlets that are bringing something to or enriching your educational journey and your experience. And so that was something that MANRRS did for me.

Dr. Browdy: I had mentors. I had other areas of, uh, of support that are, that is out there. But MANRRS was definitely, uh, an important part of that. Um, it, it was a sense of community. It was an. Organization. And I want to talk about the minority and where that stems from and why I would probably describe it a little bit different.

Dr. Browdy: And so that students can make [00:17:00] sure that they understand that that MANRRS really serves a wider breadth of individuals from different backgrounds. It is, it is for everyone. Right. If you can see yourself being a part of MANRRS and can feel like you can benefit from MANRRS, then you should be in MANRRS.

Dr. Browdy: That's just how, that's how I would describe it. The, the thing about it is, is that, um, it is an organization that I say is unique in the sense that it not only serves. Undergraduates, but it also serves graduates and professionals. There are very few organizations out there that really devotes time and effort to the development across the board and really make that connection between professionals.

Dr. Browdy: And undergraduates, including graduate students. Um, and so that's a part of the, one of the reasons why it was, I think, really beneficial to me and will be beneficial to other students because you can become a part of MANRRS as an undergraduate and grow. Right. [00:18:00] As your career, as you develop further in terms of your education, in terms of your career within the organization, there's a place for you when you become a graduate student.

Dr. Browdy: There's a place for you when you become a professional and you continue to network with those individuals. So every step along the way, MANRRS was there in some form of capacity. When I went to the University of Rhode Island, there was no MANRRS. Right. But I kept in contact with MANRRS people. So I really, when I came back to UF is where I picked off as though I never left MANRRS.

Dr. Browdy: Right. Although I did, I had no MANRRS. No, really, I didn't go to any conferences. Wasn't really involved per se in MANRRS in an active way. Kept in contact with those people who I met at MANRRS. But not really going to conferences, not being involved, but I picked up just like I never left when I came back to UF as an advisor.

Kyleigh: That's great. 

Dr. Browdy: So, um, so yeah, and I think that it has a lot to offer connecting students to industry, but also like I said, to connecting you to professionals in academia. So hence how I got the opportunity and [00:19:00] started thinking about, you know, my PhD program, um, is through MANRRS. So yes, definitely very tangible forms of support were presented to me.

Dr. Browdy: As I matriculated throughout my undergraduate experience or my educational journey and career journey through MANRRS, so 

Kyleigh: definitely, definitely. And like we had talked previously and like every time I was like, I, I was like, I missed the mark. Like I wasn't involved in MANRRS. And like, when we talk about like the fact of like, I was like, Oh, I don't.

Kyleigh: I don't fit in that bubble. And so you said you wanted to like kind of like change the conversation around like minorities. And so can you dive deeper into that? 

Dr. Browdy: Right. So I understand why it's still called minorities in agricultural natural resources related sciences, because it's historical and it really originated from, you know, MANRRS probably started back.

Dr. Browdy: I believe I want to say in the eighties, if I'm not mistaken. And at that time. You know, and even maybe today, to some [00:20:00] extent, you don't find a lot of people of color in agricultural sciences, whether it's in academia, whether it's a professional level, out in industry, government or what have you. So that's where it originated from, um, in terms of minorities in agriculture and related sciences.

Dr. Browdy: Um, and as I say, that's, To some extent persist today as MANRRS has evolved. Um, I think there is a place for women. I think large Hispanic population. Now we have partner with the future farmers of America. Um, and I think as you get more input, more people coming to the table, as you're trying to expand the breadth of opportunities that you're bringing to the undergraduates, the graduates, and even the professionals that are in it, it has just expanded and grown to a state Where I think it's serving the needs of, again, a wider breadth of individuals.

Dr. Browdy: So, you know, you don't have to be a minority as you think about in terms of just your racial or [00:21:00] ethnic background, but in terms of, like I said, If you are more like you see it, if you feel like you're one of a few, right, and you can benefit from the type of activity support that it provides, then there is a place for you.

Dr. Browdy: No one is turned away. So I think that's what makes it such an enriching experience for individuals. Because when you look at MANRRS now, it really is a multicultural organization. 

Kyleigh: And I like that, that language of like multicultural. I think it like encompasses, it encompasses more. As you're talking, I can just like see.

Kyleigh: See your passion and you're talking. I'm like, sign me up. Where, where can I sign up for it? And so you said something just now. And then you also said it at the beginning, even today, we're not seeing very many, like people of color within agriculture. And then earlier we were talking about, like, it's kind of hard to like, know what all agriculture is.

Kyleigh: Again, like you were a food scientist and it, it took a little bit for you to be like, oh yeah, college, of ag. And so why, why do you think. People aren't, like, recognizing that, like, certain [00:22:00] things are within AG, or why do you think that, like, that conversation really hasn't changed? 

Dr. Browdy: If I could just backtrack for a second as we talk about multicultural, what I think would really summarize MANRRS and where it stands today is that greater appreciation for diversity across the board

Dr. Browdy: and so the more diverse your constituents, in this case, your members or your membership is, the broader in scope, you're going to be able to be in terms of fostering professional development in terms of making connections with industry. And. Of course, covering the gamut in terms of the sciences and the education, um, and experiences that you're going to bring to those constituents or your members.

Dr. Browdy: And so the question is, why do I feel like it's still maybe? We say that it still persists that you still may find, although I think the [00:23:00] numbers have increased, um, I think we still have some growth to do in terms of people of color in the agricultural sector. Um, and I think it is, And this is just my opinion.

Dr. Browdy: There could be several reasons. I think people of color have sometimes, um, veered away from agriculture in a way because of the stigma, the historical reference. When you think about how we used to be involved in agriculture, um, we would work in the fields. I mean, we, we should be closer to agriculture than anybody.

Dr. Browdy: The trauma of the historical reference of thinking about our history with agriculture. Let's face it. It wasn't always pleasant. And so you don't find a lot of black farmers. And when you think about those who dominated agriculture, It was individuals who had a connection to agriculture to begin with, right?

Dr. Browdy: Our, our history with agriculture wasn't always seen as pleasant. Don't get me wrong. There are black [00:24:00] farmers out there. It's probably out of my scope to talk about the history of black farmers in America. But it hasn't always been. It's not a nice story sometimes to tell. Um, and so that's why I call it the trauma that's associated with blacks and agriculture.

Dr. Browdy: Um, in this country, you know, there are people who still may feel some bitterness about it. And I think there's room for, you know, never forgetting that part of our history. Um, but I think that may play a role in how. People of color view agriculture in general. Um, and so sometimes now I think when you make that connection with agriculture is agricultural secondary, just like I said, but it's more about the major and what you want to do.

Dr. Browdy: I mean, if you think about, um, again, being an ecologist or being somebody in microbiology or, you know, even studying chemistry and working for a company where you're looking at the chemistry of food ingredients, where do they come from, where they originate from, when you think about plant [00:25:00] breeding, there's just so.

Dr. Browdy: Many different spokes in the agricultural wheel that it becomes evident, but sometimes we find it much later in our careers, much later in our studies that we are able to make those connections. Right. And so I think that is still an issue. There have been programs like Ag in the Classroom that recognizes that just informing and making individuals aware of the wider breadth that it.

Dr. Browdy: They under have a better understanding of what agriculture is. It's not just cows and, you know, a horse and a hitch and, you know, tractor and those images that we used to see. I think it's just making people more aware. We've still got to fight the fight. of making all individuals aware of what agriculture really encompasses.

Dr. Browdy: And it's not just the days of old, it has evolved just like other areas of careers have evolved. 

Kyleigh: Definitely. I was talking with Dr. [00:26:00] Van Acker. He is from the University of Guelph. And we were talking about like the different avenues and the different industries within this big scope of agriculture. And I was like, I have friends at home that they're like, You're getting your PhD in ag communications and like, yeah, and they're like, you're literally taking a podcasting class.

Kyleigh: I'm like, yes, and this is gonna like if we talk about these conversations, it's still agriculture. It's just not in the way that we used to see things. And so really changing this conversation of You can be involved with ag and not have to be on the farm. You can be involved in ag and not have to be, like, a veterinarian.

Kyleigh: You can help the world. You can help the planet and still be involved in ag, but not have to be, again, going to vet school. Like, I used to think the only way to, like, be an ag was to go be a vet, and that would have been awful for me. But realizing, like, there's so many different avenues and different Like you said, so many different things and it doesn't just have to be on the farm.

Kyleigh: It doesn't have to be a vet. It doesn't have to be, you know, deep in the weeds studying if something's healthy or not. There's so many different avenues and so many different things. And so we talked a [00:27:00] lot about your past. Um, and so I want to talk about like right now, um, and where you're at today. Like how you got here is amazing and the story has been great, but what do you do now?

Kyleigh: Like how does your role help students, um, at the University of Florida now? 

Dr. Browdy: I spend the majority of my time doing is coordinating programs and services to support students across the undergraduate sphere, if you will. So regardless of what their major is, um, we want to make sure that we kind of provide those, not kind of, that we provide those wraparound services for students, whether it's tutoring, whether it is helping them build cultural capital in terms of networks.

Dr. Browdy: So. academic prepping, providing or enhancing is the best way I can describe it. Their undergraduate experience, helping them accomplish whatever goals that they sort of set for themselves and also helping them set those goals. [00:28:00] Um, so sometimes, you know, you work it from both ends. Sometimes you've got students that come in and they know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go.

Dr. Browdy: And, And that's great. And that's exactly where they head off to. And that's where they go and you support them all along the way. And then you have the student who has no clue. They're still exploring and we want to kind of help them, guide them, walk beside them when needed to sort of find their way. And then you have the students who totally jump ship.

Dr. Browdy: They come in thinking they know exactly what they want to do. And it's. And then at some point, they take a step back and they're like, Whoa, wait a minute. This is not for me. And that's was me. That was me too. Actually a lot of our students. We find that it's probably two thirds of our students are going to change their major even within the first year, some sooner than others, but they have those changes that occur and we're there to help them work through the change, work through the process.

Dr. Browdy: The other large part of what we do, a lot of students are, that are in our programs are first gen students. There are students that I, you know. [00:29:00] Don't like the pigeonhole or profile students, but the best way I can come up with to describe it is from an under resourced background. That doesn't mean that the student is under resourced, but their background.

Dr. Browdy: So as I talked about, I came from a small town in Florida called Wauchula, which most people listen to the sound Wahoo. Um, yeah. And so my graduating class, I'm lucky if we were over a hundred, maybe slightly over. And I always. Describe to people. I didn't know what AP courses were, you know, if we, I think by the time I was getting ready to graduate, we've maybe got one, um, you know, and so, you know, how do you compete with a student who comes from a much larger area where maybe even private institutions where they know all about AP, they've got labs equipped with all kinds of equipment, they're just so much further ahead of the game than you.

Dr. Browdy: And so we want to help students who are first gen just. Like the awareness, students who may come from those [00:30:00] under resourced background who don't have the exposure. And how do you even measure up with a weighted GPA where AP courses are really giving you the opportunity to have a 5. 3 GPA versus somebody who's from little ol Wauchula.

Dr. Browdy: Um, you know, you can't get above a 4. 1 because you don't have anything to give you that weighted GPA. So I can't break it down any further than that. So our goal is to help those students who come to. University of Florida, which is a very comprehensive university, top notch in so many ways, but what is that like for a first gen to navigate?

Dr. Browdy: It can be very difficult, very challenging, and we're trying to help students transition, get acclimated, and guide and navigate this very complicated, comprehensive, um, system in which they're operating in. Um, it's a lot just to handle the academics, let alone the other components of navigating this system.

Dr. Browdy: Also, decentralized, um, university in a lot of ways. And [00:31:00] so the message I always tell to our students is lots of opportunities here, but if you've got to find them on your own, it can be very difficult. And you only have a limited amount of time to do that. You know, you're looking at a four or five year career, undergraduate career.

Dr. Browdy: And so let us help you navigate. All of these opportunities, let us help you by connecting you to the multiple multitude of resources that are available on this vast campus. And so that's our job in a nutshell, either to connect students, um, to help prepare students, to guide students, advise students, um, you know, we don't claim to.

Dr. Browdy: Provide all of those services, but we think of ourselves as a conduit between our students and our other campus partners who do directly provide those services. 

Kyleigh: I think back to a couple of things that you mentioned and like those students that like either come in and like they know what they're going to be and that's what they end up being their whole undergraduate career careers.

Kyleigh: The ones that come in and are kind of like. I'm here. I don't really know what's going [00:32:00] on. Or I think back to my story and the fact of like, I, I was going to be a veterinarian. I was going to do it. I knew what I was going to do. Uh, I was going to graduate from Oklahoma state in three. I was going to step into vet school, get my DVM.

Kyleigh: And then I was going to work for 15 years. And I wanted to go back and teach vet school. That was my plan. That was my plan for as long as I can remember. And then it got to about my sophomore year. And I was like, actually, actually, I don't want to do this. Um, and so, and if you would have asked anybody before that moment, they were like, yeah, that's what Kyleigh's going to go do.

Kyleigh: Like. No, no questions asked. And like, no matter where you're at in your path, while you're at, while you're in your undergrad, rather, you are somewhat, like, I have a friend who, she did finish in three. She is in vet school. She's on her third year. She's one year away from having her DBM, and that's what she said she was going to do the whole time.

Kyleigh: That's amazing. If you're me, and you get into it, and you're like, actually, I don't know. That's okay, too. And so, like, realizing that there's, there's a purpose in all of those and your journey matters, whether you have it all figured out or rather you're figuring out as you take steps. And that's what's, that's, I think, what I [00:33:00] love about higher education.

Kyleigh: It's like, no matter what way you're going, both of those are fine. Um, and so, and then you're talking about What you can do in this like at this office and what you do for all of these students and it's amazing and you said that like UF is kind of hard to navigate like as an undergrad and I was like, it's hard to navigate as a PhD student like I came from a smaller like Oklahoma State is where I was at for my undergrad and my master's and it's the land grant University of Oklahoma and I it's going to have a spot in my heart forever.

Kyleigh: It's not a small campus. It's not a large campus, but I didn't realize How different it would be from UF. So there's still things that like I'm learning and doing. And like, even like today is we're like seven months being here. And today I was finding buildings I had never been to. And I was like, Google maps, like, how do I get there?

Kyleigh: And so like, and it's okay to be like, I need help. And so I just wanted to like say that to anybody that's listening, like. Come, come see y'all. Y'all are cool over here. Like, it's great. And so, I, as we wrap up this conversation, you [00:34:00] kind of lead me to my next question of if you could give an, either an underrepresented student or if you could give an undergrad student one piece of advice while they're listening to this and as we wrap this conversation up.

Kyleigh: What would it be? 

Dr. Browdy: Well, one thing that you said that resonated with me that I think is really important to remind the students that we target for our services so that we provide our services to any UF student. But we are targeting. Um. Um, students who we feel like would benefit the most from our guidance and our assistance along the way.

Dr. Browdy: And that students who, again, come from those under resourced backgrounds or students who are first generation don't have somebody that they can rely on to really say, I've done this. I've been there. So let me show you the ropes. But the one thing I always say, don't be afraid to ask for help because when you think about students who are from under resourced backgrounds, students who are first generation, these students have their strengths in their own right.

Dr. Browdy: And they are used to [00:35:00] really being sometimes resourceful, really, um, knowing how to navigate certain things themselves, right? And so they're not the ones that are always willing to come and ask for the help, right? They really feel like sometimes they have to do it on their own. And I, what I want to say is.

Dr. Browdy: It's, you probably can do it on your own, but why do it the harder way? You know, think smart and ask for the help. You don't have to do it alone. So, you know, reach out, um, seek that help, um, be accepting of it. It doesn't make you lesser than in any way. And I think that's a message that we're constantly trying to drive home with certain populations of students that, you know, getting help doesn't.

Dr. Browdy: Diminish you and what you bring to the table in any way, shape or form, right? We're just here to enhance and I and I use that word very strongly. You're coming with the wherewithal with everything you need to [00:36:00] succeed. We're just trying to. Lower the learning curve, alleviate as many barriers as we can, um, because whether we are intentionally creating barriers for our students, sometimes they are there, right?

Dr. Browdy: It's kind of hard when you're trying to create a policy or regulation to serve the masses, that there's not going to be somebody, who may find on one hand it may be making things easier for one student, but on another hand, it may be making things just a little bit more difficult for another one. So that help really is important and just remembering that you don't have to do it alone.

Dr. Browdy: Um, so that is one piece of advice I would definitely give to any student, be resourceful, um, accept all the help. Don't look at it as though it is diminishing you and what you bring to the table in any way. I also tell students about their undergraduate journey. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Right now, mistakes are expected.

Dr. Browdy: [00:37:00] It really is a learning experience. Nothing beats a failure but a try. And I constantly want to tell that to students. Um, you know, learn from others, of course, when you can. But oftentimes at this point when you're making mistakes, they're oftentimes not the be all, the end all that in your head that you make it.

Dr. Browdy: Right? So be fearless. Okay. Be out there, especially when it comes to your education, be fearless, be bold and, and, and seek what it is that you are hoping to find. 

Kyleigh: I love those. Those are great pieces of advice, especially like when you said enhance, I was like, that's such a good way to look at that. Like they have all of the pieces that you, that they can need to succeed.

Kyleigh: But let's enhance your success. It's just, it's such a great way to look at it. And then I remember being an undergrad and people were like, this is the time for you to fail. And I was like, no, it's not. No, it's not. I have to be perfect. I cannot. What do you mean? I don't want to fail. And as I'm still within this journey of like [00:38:00] being a student, because at this point I'll probably be a student forever.

Kyleigh: Um, it's being like, oh, Okay, but I don't grow and I don't learn if I don't make a mistake. Like, now when professors give me, like, 100s on something, I'm like, it's not perfect. There's something in there that I can grow and I can learn from, like, help me. And so, again, like, I think I would, like, nail that home, too, of, like, it's okay to fail because, like, when you fail, you're gonna learn, and when you learn, you're gonna grow.

Kyleigh: And, like, that's what this This time in your life is for, um, and this has been an amazing conversation. We've talked about a lot of things, but I think that they all kind of intertwine and we're doing a lot of, I think that you guys are doing a lot of great work over here. And so it has been a joy and an honor to be able to talk to you today.

Kyleigh: Um, so thank you for being here. 

Dr. Browdy: Thank you for having me. And I just hope that something I said will resonate with, um, students that are out there that, um, have an opportunity to hear it. Um, and again, yes. Dr. Browdy over the office. I can make support. Um, look us up at [00:39:00] oas.aa.ufl.Edu. Find us, seek us out if you, um, you know, if we can be of service in any kind of way.

Dr. Browdy: So that's what we're here for. And again, I'm just humbled that I had the opportunity to talk about MANRRS 

Dr. Browdy: and what we're doing now. So it's awesome. 

Kyleigh: Amazing. Amazing. Well, thank you all for tuning in and listening to us. And I hope you all have a great day.

Kyleigh: Thank you for listening to boundless science with Dr. Browdy. This series can be found on Streaming Science. Please check out our website and social media accounts for more. I'm your host, Kyleigh Hilburn, and thanks for learning how boundless science can be.