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 helps connect 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 quarterly 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 connected.

Members of the Alumni Board recently helped select recipients of the 2026 ANR Awards and played a leading role in promoting CANR’s fundraising efforts on Give Green Day. The Board also manages the awarding of student club grants and CANR Alumni Association Student Scholarships.

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.

Nicole Sevrey serves on the CANR Alumni Executive Board as an at-large member representing Michigan Farm Bureau. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the Department of Community Sustainability.

Sevrey currently serves as Michigan Farm Bureau’s public policy communications specialist. She has 18 years of experience translating complex legislative and policy issues into clear, relevant information for Farm Bureau members. She manages legislative updates, advocacy campaigns and digital and print communications and leads the organization’s Lansing Legislative Seminar, preparing members to engage with lawmakers and advocate for agricultural policy. Sevrey’s passion for agriculture grew from her involvement in FFA and lifelong work with horses. She lives in Williamston with her husband, Jeremiah, their children, Noah and Izzy, and their dog, Sunny.

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

CANR gave me a practical foundation for the work I do today. It wasn’t just what I learned in the classroom, but also the exposure to real issues in agriculture and the people behind them that stuck with me. That experience shaped how I approach communications now, especially when it comes to policy and advocacy. I learned early on how important it is to connect the dots between farmers, communities and decision-makers, and that’s something I carry into my work every day.

What inspired you to become a CANR Alumni Board member?

My work with Michigan Farm Bureau keeps me closely connected to the issues and people that make up this amazing industry that provides the food, fiber and fuel we all rely on. That’s given me real appreciation for the challenges we’re facing and the importance of developing the next generation of leaders. CANR played a big role in shaping my path, so serving on the Alumni Board felt like a natural way to give back. I value the opportunity to stay engaged with students and alumni, while also helping ensure we’re creating strong pathways for students to enter careers and keep agriculture moving forward.

What advice do you have for CANR current students?

Don’t underestimate the value of relationships and experiences—this industry is built on them. Get involved, ask questions and take advantage of opportunities to connect with people, even if it’s outside your comfort zone. Just as important, keep practicing your craft—strong writing skills will set you apart, no matter your career path, so look for ways to build on your experiences and continue refining your voice. Make reading a habit, too, it’s one of the easiest ways to keep learning and stay connected to the world around you. Also, be open to where your path might lead; not everyone ends up exactly where they thought they would, and that’s okay. The skills you’re building are incredibly transferable, especially in communications and leadership.

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

Staying engaged in small ways can make a big difference. That can be as simple as following CANR news or social media channels and helping amplify the great work being done by sharing those stories with your peers, family and friends. Of course, there are also opportunities to mentor a student, attend an event or share your experience, and those connections matter. CANR is a special place, and staying involved helps keep that sense of community strong. It’s also a great reminder of how far you’ve come and the role the college played in that.

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

I’d really like to help strengthen the connection between students and the real-world opportunities waiting for them. I’d also love to help bolster the support for CANR student clubs and the invaluable experiences they provide.

More information about the CANR Alumni Board and ways you can get involved with Alumni Association can be found here.