School of Natural Resources urban forestry student wants to educate communities on the importance of trees and green spaces in urban areas
Where are you from, and why did you decide to attend the UT Herbert College of Agriculture?
I am originally from Manitou Springs, a small town in Colorado. However, I moved to Knoxville about 11 years ago. After I finished at Pellissippi State Community College, I decided to attend Herbert College of Agriculture because of their forestry program.
What is your major and why?
I am pursuing a degree in urban forestry because I aim to bridge the gap between people and trees. Many communities across the country do not have equal access to trees and green spaces and, therefore, do not have equal access to the health, social, and environmental benefits they bring with them.
What has been your favorite class and who is your favorite professor?
So far, I have really enjoyed the Principles of Urban Forestry class I took with Dr. Jean-Philippe because it involved a lot of tree climbing.
What has been your most memorable experience at Herbert so far?
Last year, my urban forestry peers and I were fortunate enough to go to Sweden and Denmark for the International Society of Arboriculture Conference. I learned so much at the conference and made connections with students and professionals from all over the world.
How has your experience in the Herbert College of Agriculture prepared you to enter the field?
The classes have given me hands-on opportunities that I feel will be very beneficial for my future career.
What advice would you give to a prospective Herbert student?
There have been many chances to travel to conferences throughout my time here at Herbert. Going to these conferences have not only been fun, but I feel have given me a leg up when applying for internships. I have worked five different internships in the two years that I have been at UT, and many of these internships presented themselves to me at conferences. Go to these events and put yourself out there!
What is something you are proud of that you have accomplished or experienced during your time at Herbert?
I am proud of myself for coming into school with an open mind. I arrived at Herbert wanting to make sure I got to experience as much as I could to help me decide on a career. After five semesters at UT Knoxville, I will have worked 6 different internships, volunteered with several different organizations, attended 7 forestry-related conferences in Sweden, Denmark, and five states across the U.S., and have made some incredible friends in the process. Attending school as an older student has been one of the most difficult challenges I have ever faced but I have had amazing experiences along the way. I am proud of myself for sticking to it and working hard.
What are some extracurricular activities that you participate in?
I work with the Tennessee Champion Tree Program as the events and planning coordinator. Additionally, I was the secretary for Forestry Club last year.
What do you like to do outside of school and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your fellow students and professors may not know?
Aside from the typical outdoorsy stuff we forestry majors commonly like to do, I also like to paint, read, and go thrifting. A fun fact about myself is that I created and planned the annual SoKno Pride. This is an LGBTQ+ festival in south Knoxville that has raised nearly $40,000 for local non-profits since 2021.
What are your plans for after graduation?
Currently, I am in my “apply for as many jobs as possible” phase. I am hoping to end up with an environmental non-profit or the Urban & Community Forestry Department with Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry (TDF). Ideally, I would like to work a job that I can help underserved communities obtain equal access to trees and green spaces, work to build the Tennessee community wood utilization network, and/or help cities grow their tree canopies, because… and this is a hot take… trees are important! I feel that my time at UT Knoxville studying urban forestry has really prepared me for any type of forestry-related career and I am ready to take on the world!
*Jimi Miller graduated from UT in December 2023.
