Finding values and voice: The CFANS First Year Experience kickoff

Tonight at the St. Paul Student Center, the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) kicked off its fall First Year Experience (CFAN 1480) course with an energizing event designed to help new students find their community and voice. Built around real-world challenges — from food security and sustainability to building climate resilience — the course sets the stage for incoming students to connect with peers, explore their passions, and shape their academic and career paths with confidence.

The highlight of the evening was an inspiring presentation by Professor Jeffrey Stamp, who reframed how students view leadership. Reminding attendees that leadership isn't just a formal title, Stamp emphasized that the act of leading actually starts the moment someone asks, "What do you think?" Framing personal values as an essential internal navigation system, he led an interactive workshop where students sifted through 1,200 stickers, selecting ones that resonated with them and mapping them into quadrants to visually define what matters most to them.

Following the workshop, a panel of UMN representatives took the stage to address student well-being. Panelists offered candid advice and answered questions on navigating college life, highlighting practical strategies ranging from the critical importance of regular sleep and physical activity to prioritizing mental health and being intentional with time management.

This evening’s kickoff set the foundation for a semester rich with immersive section topics. Whether foraging for mushrooms at the Cloquet Forestry Center, participating in a traditional wild rice harvest at White Earth, exploring exotic animal health behind the scenes at the Minnesota Zoo, or tracing food systems across Minnesota, CFANS students are officially equipped to dive into their passions, connect with faculty, and embark on positive global change from day one.