Making a Difference in a Changing World

by Holly Duncan

February 23, 2009

Several Region 9 schools were visited by two young women majoring in Agricultural Science at Texas A&M-College Station. Arlene Pacheco and Ninfa Rodriguez took a whirl wind trip through Region 9 for two days, visiting with students and sharing their own personal stories about growing up, going to school, and pursuing advanced degrees. They offered advice on college entrance and scholarship opportunities. Both young women have had the opportunity to travel to CIMMYT, a worldwide research facility located outside of Mexico City. While participating in this study abroad program offered by the Agronomy Department at TAMU, they learned how CIMMYT studies and develops hardier varieties of grains such as wheat, rice, and maize to resolve hunger issues in third world countries.

Graduate Research Assistant Arlene Pacheco TAMU-CS

Ninfa is a senior at TAMU, studying Plant and Environmental Soil Science. Arlene Pacheco is finishing her doctoral work in Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences. Both speakers were quick to acknowledge that while it is true they have had help along the way, it is most important to keep giving back to the community through volunteering and being involved in educational programs for younger students.