NEWS RELEASE: First Centennial Endowment Project Selected

The first project for the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership’s Centennial Endowment has been awarded funding.

Drs. Jera Niewoehner-Green and Mary Rodriguez submitted the selected proposal, which designs a study abroad program to Trinidad and Tobago that will aim to provide experiential international education for both undergraduate and master’s level graduate students that contextualizes leadership and change in the community settings.

The goal of the Centennial Endowment is to ensure the continued evolution of educational opportunities, programs and curricula that best prepare our graduates for rewarding careers as communicators, educators and agricultural industry leaders. The annual distribution form this fun shall benefit students and faculty of the department by filling discretionary needs.

The selected endowment project will fill a current need for international programs that specifically address ACEL focus areas and create a course wherein students from ACEL majors, as well as across the College can learn how various stakeholders might work together to address community challenges related to the economy, health, agriculture and education. This international experience will fulfill the need for educational and professional development for undergraduate students and master’s students specializing in international development.

“When the Centennial Endowment was created during our centennial celebration in 2017, we looked forward to the opportunities that would be available to our current and future students, in thanks to the many alumni, faculty, staff and stakeholders who have financially contributed to the fund,” said Dr. Tracy Kitchel, professor and chair of ACEL. “The project selected for funding this first year is exactly the kind of educational enrichment opportunity for our students that I envisioned when this process started more than two years ago. It fills an important study abroad gap left in our department due to some faculty transitions. This has the opportunity to be impactful for all of our majors.”

Academic outcomes of the program will include students being able to describe how healthy communities are built, describe how communities engage in transformative processes, engage in systems thinking to aid in the development of healthy communities and identify how education, communication, and leadership play a role in community change.

“Development of a sound international experience will aid in increasing the cultural competency of our students, making them more prepared for the global workforce,” said Dr. Jera Niewoehner-Green, assistant professor of community leadership.

Program funding will cover a scouting trip in the spring of 2020 for two ACEL faculty members and an international development graduate student to meet with faculty from The University of the West Indies, extension and community practitioners and community leaders. The logistics of the study abroad will be developed and finalized on this trip to ensure a quality experience for the students participating in the inaugural trip in Spring 2021.

“For the program to be sustainable, established community relationships are needed and we are excited to travel to Trinidad and Tobago this spring to begin those relationships,” said Dr. Mary Rodriguez, assistant professor of community leadership.

Funding will also support the attendance of the two faculty members and graduate student to attend and present program assessment data at the North Central American Association for Agricultural Education (NCAAAE) in Autumn 2021.

ACEL prepares communicators, educators and leaders in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences to integrate research-based learning, practice and engagement, in ways that will advance positive changes that strengthen individuals, families and communities. For more information on the academic programs and research available in ACEL, please visit acel.osu.edu.

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Sanders to join ACEL master’s program

 

Join us in welcoming Abby Sanders to the ACEL family! She will begin our master of science program in August with a focus in agricultural communication.

Originally from Arkansas, Abby has a bachelor of science degree in agricultural business from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas.

When asked what she looks forward to most about graduate school, she said “I’m most looking forward to building lasting connections with like-minded individuals that will also be in the agriculture field. I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity and look forward to making the most of it.”

Welcome Abby!

Gregg to join ACEL grad program

Join us in welcoming Colby Gregg to the ACEL family! He will begin our graduate program in August with a focus in agricultural education.

Originally from Oklahoma, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

When asked what he looks forward to most about graduate school, he said “I’m looking forward to moving to Columbus and stepping back into the student role after being a teacher for the past four years!”

Welcome Colby!

Alfman hired as ag educator at Sheridan

Congratulations to recent agriscience education graduate Jenna Alfman who has been hired as the agricultural educator at Sheridan High School (Thornville, Ohio).
 
Best of luck Jenna! We look forward to watching you succeed as an agricultural educator.

Rockers to join ACEL PhD program

Join us in welcoming Alyssa Rockers to the ACEL family and our agricultural communication PhD program.

Alyssa is from Missouri and holds a bachelor of science from Missouri State University in general agriculture and communication and a master of science from Oklahoma State University in agricultural communication.

“The faculty made me feel tremendously welcomed and excited about my degree program during my visit to campus, and I cannot wait to learn from them,” said Rockers.

Welcome Alyssa!

Smith to join ACEL PhD program

Join us in welcoming Matt Smith to the ACEL family! He will begin our PhD program in August with Dr. Joy Rumble and Dr. Jera Niewoehner-Green serving as his co-advisors.

Originally from Alabama, he holds a bachelor of science in fisheries management from Auburn University and a master of science from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. He is currently the director of Ohio State Extension’s aquaculture program.

The focus of his program will be on community and extension education and is interested in developing surveys and educational programs related to key water quality parameters.

Welcome Matt!

McClain hired as ag teacher at Clear Fork

Congratulations to Cody McClain, a recent agriscience education graduate, on his new position as an agricultural educator at Clear Fork High School.
 
In this position, his classes will focus on teaching students general shop skills.
 
Congratulations Cody! We look forward to watching you succeed as an agricultural educator.
 

McLain to pursue MS at Ohio State

Join us in congratulating recent agriscience education graduate Summer McLain on her admission to graduate school at The Ohio State University, where she will pursue a master of science degree in agricultural and extension education.

McLain is currently serving as an intern with the Shelby County Extension Office.

Congratulations Summer!

#ACELatOSU #CFAES #TeachAg #ExtensionEd

Howell hired as ag educator for Southern Wells

Join us in congratulating recent agriscience education graduate Alexis Howell, as she was recently hired as the agriculture educator and FFA advisor for Southern Wells High School in Indiana.

We look forward to watching your career as an agricultural educator succeed!

#ACELatOSU #CFAES #TeachAg

News Release: Kitchel completes Big Ten Leadership Program

Dr. Tracy Kitchel, professor and chair for the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL), recently completed the Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Academic Leadership Program (ALP).

Throughout the year-long program, Kitchel participated in three seminars hosted by Big Ten Academic Alliance universities, which focused on contemporary issues in higher education, internal and external relationships and money, management, and strategies. These programs were specifically oriented to address the challenges of academic administrators at major research universities. As part of the leadership program, Ohio State’s Big Ten ALP Fellows engaged with their university leaders on campus about their own leadership trajectory. University leaders also discussed challenges and opportunities at Ohio State.

“The Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Academic Leadership Program allowed me to learn more about myself as a leader, to dive deep on the issues and opportunities on our campus, and to think about the broad issues facing higher education all while engaging with current and future university leaders. This has been one of the most comprehensive leadership experiences in my career,” said Kitchel. While reflecting on life after this program, he added, “This program has made me a better leader for my department and college. In addition to taking time to be reflective, I have a much stronger understanding of the landscape of higher education at Ohio State and beyond.”

“The ALP is one of the jewels of the Big Ten Academic Alliance creating a moment for academic leaders to have a larger vision of leadership and to broaden their vision of the Big Ten and Higher Education,” said Dr. Kay Wolf, senior vice provost for Ohio State in the Office of Academic Affairs. “Tracy Kitchel exemplifies the outstanding faculty leaders at Ohio State and joined this learning cohort of leaders. OAA was happy to sponsor him in the program.”

Through the program, participants who have demonstrated exceptional ability and administrative promise can further develop their leadership and managerial skills. Fellows are appointed to one-year terms, and funding is provided by the participating institutions.

ACEL prepares communicators, educators and leaders in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences to integrate research-based learning, practice and engagement, in ways that will advance positive changes that strengthen individuals, families and communities. For more information on the academic programs and research available in ACEL, please visit acel.osu.edu.

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