Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students, Kobe Garrett and Kur’an Suluki, have graduated with degrees in agricultural engineering.
Offered by the UAPB Department of Agriculture, the program prepares students to meet the demand for more efficient production methods in the agriculture industry.
GARRETT
Garrett said he chose to major in agriculture to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle.
“Running agricultural machines and learning the different aspects of agriculture has been a lifelong dream,” he said. “I believe my passion has always been to be an engineer. I have the skills to be great in this field.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Garrett received the USDA/1890 National Scholarship, which covered full tuition, books and room and board. As part of the program, he completed two internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including one as an engineer trainee in Medford, Okla.
“During my internship, I was responsible for shadowing another engineer,” he said. “I then had to complete engineering tasks such as surveying land, running GPS, designing waterways and mapping water systems. These skills will help me in the long run and make me a great employee or entrepreneur.”
After graduation, Garrett planned to begin working as an agricultural engineer for Natural Resources Conservation Service in McAlester, Okla.
SULUKI
Before starting college, Suluki considered majoring in either electrical or mechanical engineering. However, once enrolled at UAPB, professors encouraged him to explore the agricultural field. By choosing agricultural engineering, he not only learned core engineering concepts but also gained exposure to agriculture and natural environments.
“When thinking back on my time at UAPB, I most value how applicable my education and experience are to the real world,” Suluki said. “Agriculture is a requirement of modern society. I don’t believe there is a place I could go where my degree in agricultural engineering won’t be relevant.”
Suluki received support through the 1890 Scholarships Program at the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. He also completed two internships with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he worked on projects related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production.
“After graduation, it is my intention to work full time with the same NRCS team or another team in the same area,” he said. “My ideal career is one that allows me to travel to new places while working to improve and maintain the natural environment. I want to preserve areas untouched by industrialization, fostering an oasis of nature in a desert of concrete and metal.”
Will Hehemann is an Extension Specialist for Communications at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.
