2022 ACEL Outstanding Senior: Maryellen Bliss

The Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) has named 13 students to the 2022 class of ACEL Outstanding Seniors. These students were selected by the faculty and staff of the department for their excellence both in and out of the classroom. Maryellen Bliss, a senior studying agriscience education, was named as one of ACEL’s Outstanding Seniors for 2022.

Read about Maryellen’s Ohio State experience below.

Why did you choose your major?
My time in the Hillsdale FFA Chapter opened my eyes to the possibilities and importance that the agriculture industry has to offer. As I juggled many ideas for what I wanted to do, being in agriculture education allows me to combine my passions of working with people and growing my knowledge of agriculture that I can teach to future generations.

Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
From a young age, I knew the spirit of the Buckeyes because my family have always been big OSU sports fans and in high school, I put it at the top of my college lists. After the tour of the Columbus campus my junior year of I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else as atmosphere of campus felt like I had found my second home and I had the opportunity to be in a nationally recognized agriculture education program.

What classes did you enjoy the most?
The classes that I enjoyed the most taking were my courses about environmental science. I took 3 different courses where I was able to learn the scientific basics, historical background, and how society intersects with our natural resources.

What student organizations were you involved in?
At Ohio State I have been involved with the Kellogg-Moser Food Security and Sustainability Learning Community and Collegiate Farm Bureau. In the Agricultural Education Society, I served as the CFAES representative, treasurer, and president. I have been actively involved in Jacob’s Porch Lutheran Campus Ministry and was the student board president. I currently am honored to serve as a 2021-22 NAAE National Teach Ag Ambassador.

What internships did you complete and what were your responsibilities/projects as an intern?
In the 2019 fall semester, I was enrolled in the Early Field Experience for the agriscience major. My placement site was Global Impact STEM Academy observing the biotechnology course. During this internship, I observed classes and was able to interact with students in the classroom and FFA setting through the mindset of a teacher with the guidance of my cooperating educator.

In 2019 I worked the summer for ExploreAg Camps where students come to a college campus and are immersed in hands-on learning that exposes them to a multitude of careers in agriculture, including those careers in STEM.My duties included organizing ice breakers, facilitating five Ag Challenge presentation groups each week to connect knowledge of experiences with current wicked problems, having enthusiasm, and ensuring participants safety.

I was the 2021 Franklin County Farm Bureau Fellow. I assisted with day-to-day office responsibilities and summer programing with Central OH Young Ag Professionals. I created #MemberBenefitsMonday where posts gave a membership benefit spotlight to the advantages that come with being a Farm Bureau member. I also was working in the community at the downtown Pearl Market and Franklin County Fair to spread the word about Farm Bureau.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to use my experiences and knowledge to start out my career as a high school agricultural instructor and FFA advisor in a program somewhere in Ohio!

What stands out as your best college memory?
My best college memory during my freshman year and attending the 2018 OSU vs. that team up North football game with my roommate, Jenny. My first ever OSU football game was this same match up when I was younger with my grandpa and the energy felt in the stadium is unmatched. On top of the win and getting to go on the field, the icing on the cake was standing in the student section and getting on the jumbotron.

How did the pandemic impact your college experience? 
My idea of the “typical” college experience shifted because of the pandemic as I had to take some Zoom classes and hanging out with people that weren’t my roommates involved a lot of screens. I missed getting to be at football games my junior year but being back in The Shoe for my last season as a Buckeye was so electric and meaningful as I didn’t want to take a single play for granted.

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