College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has nearly 60,000 alumni living around the world. The CANR Alumni Board plays a critical role connecting this large and diverse alumni community to meaningful ways to engage with the college after graduation.

The mission of the CANR Alumni Board is to build relationships that serve the college, alumni, students and friends of MSU. The board consists of volunteer members representing each of the college departments, MSU Extension, young alumni and at-large members. These members meet four times a year: September, December, March and July in East Lansing.

Alumni Board members have a variety of responsibilities, including promoting college events and philanthropic opportunities. They also serve as liaisons between the college, academic departments, alumni, and the agriculture and natural resources industries, among other duties. The work of the Alumni Board helps to keep the CANR community vibrant and connect.

CANR is releasing a series of spotlights on Alumni Board members. These stories highlight each member's motivation for joining the board and share their experiences in this role.

Cassaundra (Cass) Edwards ('94, Food Engineering) is currently an Executive Board member representing the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. She is a supplier quality manager with Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a dairy company located in the Pacific Northwest.

How did your experience at CANR set you up for success in your career after graduation?

I graduated with a B.S. in Food Engineering in 1994 and my experience with the college was very special. While at that time the Ag Engineering department was a part of the larger College of Engineering, it held a smaller community of students which allowed for more personal and stronger connections with the faculty. The classroom sizes were smaller which enabled closer student engagement. The atmosphere in Farrall Hall always felt more relaxed and less intense than the engineering building. I’m happy that it has largely remained that way over the years.

What inspired you to become a CANR Alumni Board member?

I was asked by the Dean of the Biosystems and Ag Engineering Department (formerly Ag Engineering). Once I became involved, I really liked the idea of supporting students through scholarships, mentorship, and providing them with exposure to industry life. The work that the CANR Board is doing aligns with my values as an individual – a desire to see young students grow and succeed academically, supporting students with financial needs to help them achieve their goals and make school life a bit easier, and helping the college in strengthening their programs that will drive impact for students matriculating in the programs.

What advice do you have for CANR current students?

Work really hard in your classes, find a good mentor that can help you think through pathways to achieve your short- and long-term goals. Fully leverage the resources that you have available to you and engage with your fellow CANR students as there’s a lot to learn from not only your teachers but each other. Build solid friendships as the people you meet in college could be helpful to you in the future well after college.

How would you encourage other CANR alumni to get involved and connect with the college?

I would share the benefits of the connectivity and networking value. Also, we plan fun activities where our families can participate. Also, it’s a great way to give back to the university in a very meaningful way.

What kind of impact do you hope to have as a member of the CANR Alumni Board?

My goal is to make the pathway to graduation a little easier for students who are high achieving but may have financial struggles. Also, I want to help encourage students on their journey through college by mentoring or just spending time talking with students about their goals and providing a perspective as an experienced STEM professional. Also, provide career opportunities to graduating students where it makes sense in terms of academic background, interests and open positions within my company.