Animal and Dairy Sciences' Devost-Burnett inducted as MANRRS national president
Derris Devost-Burnett
Derris Devost-Burnett is the new national president of the national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization.
An associate professor in MSU’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the university’s MANRRS co-advisor, Devost-Burnett was inducted at the 37th annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia where he was joined by over 20 Mississippi State students.
"As the premier organization for cultivating diverse talent in agriculture and natural resources, our team is excited to begin this year of service. Collectively, we will aspire to inspire transformational change through our pre-collegiate, collegiate, and professional programs. The MANRRS pipeline continues to produce global citizens that are confident, competent and capable of solving the complex challenges facing our planet. I hope that my position, working alongside other academics, government agencies and industry partners, will help set the inclusive policies to promote access and opportunities for minorities in agriculture and promote national recognition and exposure for the MSU Chapter,” said Devost-Burnett.
The MANRRS organization, founded more than 40 years ago, seeks to elevate minorities in the field of agriculture, natural resources and other related sciences by providing academic and professional opportunities on the local, regional and national levels.
Devost-Burnett, whose experience with MANRRS spans more than 20 years, has held several positions with the nonprofit including student member, co-advisor for two university chapters including MSU, national secretary, Region III vice president, national president-elect and now president.
As the MSU Chapter co-advisor for the past eight years, he works to help inform students of opportunities in career fields that they may not have considered.
“MANRRS provides access to careers, training and networking opportunities that students may not otherwise be exposed to,” said Devost-Burnett. “It also helps develop global citizens that are ready to hit the ground running.”
Devost-Burnett described MSU’s MANRRS chapter as “small but mighty.”
“Despite a smaller number in comparison to other schools, MSU students are very engaged in the organization. In addition to competing in national competitions, our students have been leaders in the national organization, serving in various national officer positions,” Devost-Burnett said.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Lily Grado | Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
