A continuing series of conversations with Dairy Shrine supporters

 

Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) partners with Dairy Shrine to fund multiple scholarships for students seeking careers in dairy marketing, education and communications. Tricia Sheehan, DMI Vice President, Strategic Communications and Farmer Relations, shares her perspectives on how the Dairy Shrine/DMI scholarship program benefits the dairy industry. In addition to her dairy advocacy work at DMI, Sheehan serves on the Dairy Shrine board of directors.

 

What is the history of the Dairy Shrine/DMI scholarship program?

The national dairy checkoff’s longtime partnership with Dairy Shrine started back in the 1970s with a single milk marketing scholarship. Over the years the program expanded in response to growing needs to tell our dairy story. Our Dairy Shrine milk marketing and dairy products scholarships encourage students to pursue careers in the marketing of milk or dairy products, dairy product development, quality control or related roles. Education and communications scholarships support students majoring in marketing, food science, nutrition, public relations, education, social media and communications. The top scholarship in each area is $1,500 with $1,000 runner-up winners. In 2022 DMI awarded a total of $8,000 in scholarships to seven very impressive dairy students.

 

How does this scholarship program align with the mission of DMI?

Our goals at DMI are to grow dairy sales and consumer trust through research and promotion. We continue to need high quality people to work in the dairy industry. It’s important to encourage young people to stay in our industry, and to encourage non-ag students to become interested in dairy. The Dairy Shrine/DMI scholarship program helps us achieve these goals.

 

Why did DMI choose Dairy Shrine as a partner?

The DMI board of directors believes strongly in Dairy Shrine. Dairy Shrine’s focus on honoring past and engaging future leaders aligns with how DMI wants to move the dairy industry forward. Collaborating with Dairy Shrine allows DMI to reach a broad audience of potential students. University dairy professors and dairy club advisers do a phenomenal job of directing students to apply for Dairy Shrine scholarships. In addition, Dairy Shrine brings together a strong community of leaders to help students make connections as they continue their educations and careers.

 

Have you been satisfied with students who apply for scholarships?

The quality and quantity of applicants has been phenomenal. All applicants are top-notch and it is never easy to select the winners. It’s so encouraging to see the quality of students who apply and the passion they have for different areas of the dairy industry.

 

What is the future of the Dairy Shrine/DMI scholarship program?

Keeping youth engaged will continue to be a priority for DMI. We know the industry will always need a strong work force and advocates. We will also keep our eyes on emerging opportunities. We’re open to adding new scholarship focus areas as we continue to encourage the talent we need to support our industry’s future growth.