As one of campus’s largest colleges, with a wide array of majors from animal science to horticulture to fashion merchandising, it’s not surprising that it takes more than one building to hold the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. And since the college puts the “A” in A&T, having CAES students spread out around campus may seem like a good idea.

But there are drawbacks, said Dean Mohamed Ahmedna.

“Being spread out limits students’ opportunities for communication and cross-learning, and affects the unity among the college’s various majors,” Ahmedna said. “We also want to help new and incoming students become more involved with CAES student organizations and enhance all students’ engagement with administration.”

To address these issues, the college has created a Student Advisory Council.

The council plans to meet once a month to provide programming for students and advise Dean Ahmedna on student issues.

Members of the council, who are all presidents of clubs in their departments, are:

Muhammad is the council’s chairperson; Ray is vice chairperson; Brady is secretary/treasurer; McElroy is communication officer; and Brooks is the community service officer.

Muhammad said that the group’s first goals focus on outreach, planning ways to engage the students and the community.

“My biggest goal is to put the ‘A’ back in A&T,” she said. “Our college is spread out among so many buildings that I feel as though there is a divide, not only among the departments in our college, but also a lack of our presence on campus.

“Having this role means that I will be able to have ears and heart fully open to suggestions from students in the CAES, and it will also grant me the opportunity to work with Dean Ahmedna to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to sustainably organize,” she said.