Mik Schulte

MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: The signing of the Kigali Joint Statement on Farmer-Led Irrigation in 2018, which I worked on for over a year. This lays out ministerial support to drastically scale up inclusive and sustainable irrigation by Africa’s smallholder farmers — led by farmers, driven by the private sector, and supported by governments and partners.

HOW DREXEL HELPED: The co-op program and Pennoni Honor College’s custom-designed majors programs are easily Drexel’s competitive advantage. I sell this to employers every time I do an interview — because I’m always asked how I have the work experience I do for being my age. Drexel accelerated my timeline to be marketable. Universities are places of learning, but they’re also tasked with preparing us for the next 35 years or so of our career. I have had opportunities that would never have materialized were it not for the combination of on-the-job realities I gained through co-op along with the focused guidance, specialized coursework and support that came from the custom-designed major program.

WHERE I’LL BE IN FIVE YEARS: Five years ago, I thought my destiny was going to look very different and not focused on water sustainability and creating a water and food-secure world for all. Five years from now I want to be able to say three things: I see significant increases in farmer-led irrigation in Africa to unlock opportunity for millions of families; I have worked with private companies to expand the breadth of my experience to drive this forward; and my family and friends are still willing to put up with me!