Growing up on a small sheep farm in Bloomingburg, Ohio with her parents and two younger sisters, Amy Jo Baughman kept busy through 4-H, sports, music, FFA, and other school and church organizations. When it was time to pick a college, Amy Jo was unsure if Ohio State would be a good fit, but after visiting campus in 2009, Amy Jo realized that The Ohio State University was the perfect place for her.
Beginning her undergraduate career with a major in agriscience education, Amy Jo jumped right into college life by joining student organizations while also serving as a state FFA officer. Taking her second year off of school to travel and serve as the 2010-11 Ohio FFA State President, Amy Jo discloses that while it was definitely challenging, she learned so much about herself, service, leadership, and agriculture during that year.
Returning to Ohio State to finish her bachelor’s degree, Amy Jo spent some time soul-searching, and encouraged by her advisor, she applied and was accepted to graduate school at OSU. As she took a hard look at all that she had learned
Amy Jo and her friend are all smiles.
and felt passionate about, she realized that she wanted her graduate research and degree to involve an international component. Having traveled to Honduras twice on study abroad, and twice with her home church, Amy Jo was passionate about Honduras as well as agriscience education. From these interests grew her master’s thesis entitled “The Vocational Agriculture Needs of Students in Choluteca, Honduras.” Spending two years in graduate school, Amy Jo completed her thesis in May of 2016, and will earn her Master’s Degree in Agriculture and Extension Education with a specialization in international development in August 2016.
Throughout graduate school she served on the Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) Graduate Student Association as the Council of Graduate Students (CGS) representative. She also worked with faculty Jill Arnett and Dr. King in various roles.
Amy Jo’s graduate experience led to a full-time job in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Office of Prospective Student Services, which she recently started. She is looking forward to working with prospective students and their families and bringing a new perspective to student recruitment and development.
As she reflects on her journey, she looks back at her high school self – the girl who was so unsure and didn’t think OSU was for her – and she is so thankful that by God’s grace she ended up at Ohio State. OSU, CFAES, and ACEL have brought opportunity, life lessons, and relationships that have led to her career, friends, and marriage. As she sums it up, “I am so thankful for this University and for the wonderfully amazing people who work tirelessly every single day to make these opportunities a reality for you and me. Go Bucks!”
To learn more about graduate opportunities within ACEL, contact Mary Kivel by emailing kivel.1@osu.edu.