Zaynah Shahid will graduate from the University of Kentucky in May with a degree in Food Biosciences and Business Management, according to a May 4 announcement. Shahid said her time at the university has been defined by building strong relationships with classmates, professors, mentors, and fellow members of MANRRS.
Shahid described her network as a source of wealth. “When I think of my connections and my network of people, I kind of equate it to being wealthy,” she said. “I think that’s the greatest wealth: being able to share your experiences with people that you love most, having people to call on and lean on whenever you’re transitioning from adolescent to adulthood or just transitioning from college to real life.”
Her interest in food science began in high school and led her to choose the University of Kentucky for its Food Biosciences program within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The college is part of the university’s land-grant system according to its official website. The college includes more than 2,600 students and receives over $48.7 million in external research funding while extending programs reaching about 4.8 million contacts according to its official website.
Shahid became involved with MANRRS during her freshman year and served as president during her senior year. She credited Kendriana Price, assistant dean for Land-grant Engagement administration and adviser to MANRRS at UK, for encouraging her leadership development. Price said, “Zaynah is an exceptional student whose dedication and generosity consistently elevate those around her. Her entrepreneurial spirit fuels creativity and connection, especially in cultivating spaces of belonging and unity.” Price also nominated Shahid for the Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award last fall.
The Martin-Gatton College uses facilities such as Agriculture Science Center North in Lexington along with ongoing improvements to teaching and research labs according to its official website. The college obtains funding through external research grants exceeding $48.7 million annually as well as scholarships surpassing $1.2 million according to its official website. It works toward serving both local communities within Kentucky and global communities through education, research, outreach, service aimed at improving lives and ensuring sustainability according to its official website.
Looking ahead after graduation—and an internship this summer—Shahid hopes one day she can help educate future generations about agriculture: “If I can be a beacon or steward in that way, I think I’ll be satisfied,” she said.
