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. Jasmine Mabry, an agriscience education major from Camden, Ohio, was named as one of ACEL’s Outstanding Seniors for 2022.
Read about Jasmine’s Ohio State experience below.
Why did you choose your major?
I wanted to find a career that would allow me to combine my purpose, which is to serve others and my passion for the agricultural industry. In high school, I watched my Agricultural Educator serve other students, as well as myself in many ways. From ensuring students had the funds to attend various trips, to always providing a safe space for students to interact and be themselves.
Why did you choose to attend Ohio State?
I chose to attend Ohio State because of all of the opportunities the university had to offer. Opportunities such as professional development and networking events, and to engage in organizations that would help me to grow. I knew that no other college could offer me the types of opportunities that Ohio State had to offer, and that was what ultimately led me to choosing Ohio State. However, Ohio State had also always been my dream school (who wouldn’t want to be a buckeye?), so there was really no doubt in my mind.
What classes did you enjoy the most?
The class I enjoyed the most was Oral Expression in Agriculture with Mr. Tom Stewart. Not only was the class fun, but it also taught me a lot about the importance of proper communication, especially within the agricultural industry. Other classes that I enjoyed include Methods of Teaching 2, Ecology of Managed Plant Systems, and Metal Fabrication for Agriculture.
What student organizations were you involved in and what roles did you hold?
I was involved in Agricultural Education Society where I served as Programming Chair (2019), CFAES Representative (2020), and Vice President (2021). I was also in Alpha Sigma Upsilon where I served as the Service Chair (2020), Banquet/Founders Day Chair (2020), Risk Managment and Harm Reduction Chair (2021-2022), Social Chair (2021-2022), Formal Chair (2022), and President (2021) over my four years at Ohio State. I was also involved in Towers Agricultural Honorary, where I served as the 2021 CFAES Representative for the organization. Another organization I was involved in is the OSU Turf Club, which I served as the 2021-2022 Treasurer and Reporter for. I also was involved in the CFAES Celebration of Students Planning Committee, where I was a member of the Image Committee in 2021 and 2022. Lastly, I was involved in the CFAES Peer Mentor program and served as a CFAES Peer Mentor in 2019-2021.
What internships did you complete and what were your responsibilities/projects as an intern?
During the summer of 2019 I completed an internship with the Turfgrass STEM Camp. I served as a camp counselor and I was responsible for planning activities, leading activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of campers at all times, and observing campers to ensure they stay on track. I completed my Early Field Experience in autumn of 2019. During this internship I was responsible for assisting with instruction and supervision of students in a high school classroom. I completed this experience at Highland high school. In the spring of 2022, I completed my Student Teaching. During this experience I was responsible for creating and teaching lessons to various classes. These classes included Livestock Selection, Nutrition and Management, Agricultural Food and Natural Resources, Agricultural Business and Mechanical Principles. I completed this 13-week experience at Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware, Ohio.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I will be attending graduate school at the University of Tennessee.
What stands out as your best college memory?
While there are so many memories that stand out to me, meeting my best friends has to be the one that stands out the most to me. My freshman year of college I met three girls in the CFAES Learning Community, and they have stuck with me since that day, and they will stand next to me as I get married in 2023. The man I am marrying in 2023 is also someone I met during my freshman year of college. In meeting him I discovered agricultural greek life at Ohio State, the Turfgrass industry, and met many more people who would become great friends.
How did the pandemic impact your college experience?
The pandemic made my college experience a lot more difficult. I was already an extreme introvert before the pandemic, but due to the pandemic I became even more of an introvert. It was very difficult for me to engage in any experiences in which I had to be social after that. One thing I missed due to the pandemic was getting to be President of Alpha Sigma Upsilon during a normal year. Half of my year as President was spent via zoom, and the other half we were very limited on what we could do in person.