We’re proud to introduce Summitt Wright, a junior with a double major in AREC’s food and agricultural business, and supply chain management through the Haslam College of Business. Summitt has a very diverse academic and professional background. She has completed internships with both Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, her home state. During these internships, she researched agricultural policy and its impact on farmers. She was able to continue her policy work as an AREC undergraduate researcher, focusing on Farm Bill policy with associate professor Aaron Smith. She was also recently selected to present her research at the Posters at the Capitol Event through the UT Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. The event provided the opportunity for her to interact with state legislators and discuss the impact of the Farm Bill legislation on Tennessee Farmers. Summitt was one of only eight UT Knoxville students selected for this honor.
“While I’ve worked on base acres for a while, it was great to pull the research together and see it visually represented on the poster,” said Summitt. “I loved the whole experience of being at the Capitol and talking about a topic that may not be discussed as much as others.”
Summitt has been able to combine her interests in agriculture and supply chains through her study abroad experiences. Last spring, she traveled to Argentina and learned about agri-value chains. During the May mini-term, she was one of four Herbert College of Agriculture students selected to participate in the University of Georgia’s Viticulture and Enology program in Cortona, Italy, a program cocreated by David Lockwood, a professor in UT’s Department of Plant Sciences. “Studying abroad in two different countries has shown me the importance of global commodity trading, as well the need to prioritize farmers in trade legislation.”
Most recently, Summitt was chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. She was chosen as a finalist from a pool of more than 700 applicants because of her interest in agricultural policy and rural development.
She is also looking forward to learning more about supply chain management through her upcoming internship with FedEx, via their sourcing group. Summitt is a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association team, Food and Ag Business Club, and Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity. She is interested in pursuing a career in law, where she can focus on agricultural trade and policy.
