A.J Zanyk Photography 2016
Biography
Hello! My name is Monica Pennewitt, and I am a Senior at The Ohio State University studying plant pathology. Hailing from a small family farm near Wilmington, OH I have always been passionate about agriculture and the food that the world eats. The global connectivity within the industry is something else that has also pulled me in and has served as a motivation within my studies while at Ohio State. Soon, I will be graduating and transitioning into another chapter of my life, graduate school. I will be pursuing my degree at Iowa State University, continuing in the field of plant pathology under the direction of Dr. Greg Tylka. I hope to one day obtain a PhD and work to combat many issues that threaten crop yields, therefore helping farmers and producers, while also assisting with the creation of a safe and abundant food supply.
Why I decided to pursue Global Option
For me personally, having a global mindset is about how you can appreciate the world’s differences and realize that all of these differences is what makes the world go round. I never would have thought that I could live in a society where hardly anyone speaks English, but I did and thoroughly loved every moment of it. It was a growing experience for me especially, but I think that the lessons I learned about the world and the role I play in it will stick with me forever. Through these experiences, I was better able to grow myself, and I hoped to continue to do so while on American soil. My goal of continual improvement encouraged me to pursue the Global Option and broaden my horizons.
My Goal for Global Options
Optimally, in the future I hope to obtain a position working within the industry, educating consumers and helping producers to get the most out of their purchases. I also want to help them to adapt better practices and continue to strive to make advancements wherever possible. Moreover, I also hope to broaden my reach beyond the United States, and work with farmers on a more global scale, as well. I’m not sure when this will be possible, but I want to be able to make a difference in the world through what I know best, agriculture.
Therefore, due to these goals of mine, I wish to complete my education in format that allows me to become well-rounded, as well as globally minded. The Global Option has allowed me to discover new places throughout the world, explore different cultures, and dream of all that I can do in the future. My goal is to keep the ideas that I have learned through the Global Option to maintain a philosophy of life-long learning to better develop myself as I continue on my own path through life.