Brooklynne Mitchell-Arno

Brooklynne Mitchell-Arno, class of 2023, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and conservation journalism, a major she created through the BDIC department at UMass Amherst. After graduating in May 2023, starting in September, Brooklynne will be interning at Toucan Rescue Ranch’s wildlife clinic in Costa Rica, assisting veterinarians in sloth surgery, rehabilitation and re-release.

Raised in Ayer, Massachusetts, Brooklynne is no stranger to environmental immersion and animal care. Ever since she was young, she always felt most connected to the animals around her and dreamed that she could one day become their advocate. She always knew she wanted a career in animal care. When it came to applying for colleges, the University of Massachusetts Amherst was at the top of her list. UMass Amherst’s Veterinary and Animal Sciences department offered her something she didn't see anywhere else: immediate hands-on experience and agricultural immersion.

During her undergraduate career, Brooklynne was lucky enough to take animal science classes such as Wildlife and Veterinary Medicine in Belize with Dr. Daniel Young; Research Animal Management with Dr. Nuno Carreiro; Equine Management with Dr. Cassandra Uricchio; and Animal Business Management with Dr. Susan Marston. Each of these courses and their professors solidified her passion for animals, inspiring her to pursue a career working with exotic animals and their complementary environments. Eventually however, she wanted to take things one step further. This ambition led her to the Bachelor’s Degree in Individual Concentration (BDIC) department at UMass’ University Without Walls where she decided to create an additional major.

BDIC is an interdisciplinary academic program that gives undergraduates the opportunity to design their own individualized majors. By joining this department, and creating her own additional major, Brooklynne was given the opportunity to specify her dream. In high school, Brooklynne received the John and Abigail Adams Academic Scholarship and won Barnes and Noble’s National My Favorite Teacher Essay Contest, in 2019. She knew she was a good writer, but did not know if college would provide her an opportunity to combine her two passions: animals and writing. After joining BDIC, it was clear she could turn this desire into a reality. So, in the spring semester of her junior year, Brooklynne created, and pursued conservation journalism, in addition to animal science.

With conservation journalism, Brooklynne hoped to one day write for a scientific journal or magazine, traveling the world and advocating for wildlife conservation and welfare. It was important to her that she chose classes that provided a wide range of perspectives and insight into how our environment worked, and what journalistic tactics communicated best to audiences. Because of this, she was fortunate to take classes such as Wildlife Conservation; News writing and Reporting; Medical Anthropology; Italian Film; Modern-Art, 1800-present; Business and its Environment, etc. Each of these courses allowed her to better interpret journalistic mediums and gave her the opportunity to understand the role of advocacy and diversity in wildlife conservation.

Outside of the classroom, since fall 2022, Brooklynne has worked with Dr. Scott Auerbach and Wesley Dunham in UMass’ iCons program as a public relations assistant and journalist. The UMass iCons program prepares undergraduate students to be leaders and problem solvers in STEM education, while identifying global problems to find cutting edge solutions. This position helped connect her with STEM educators and professors across the university’s different collegiate programs, as well as students and outside organizations. For Brooklynne, being a part of iCons’ team has not only boosted her individual confidence, but it has also assured her she is completely capable of doing anything she sets her mind to.

Over the course of her time at UMass, Brooklynne has worked at the UMass Store and enjoys spending her days with friends, discovering new and exciting opportunities on campus. Brooklynne is excited to graduate in May 2023 and cannot wait to experience all the wonderful things the world has to offer. She would like to take this opportunity and thank all of her professors, advisors, and friends for their support throughout her time at UMass. Without theirguidance, she would not have thought it possible to truly live her dream.

Please feel free to contact Brooklynne with any questions regarding her time at UMass Amherst.