alumni

Meet the Faculty: Tracy Kitchel

Although just recently hired to the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership as a professor and the chair of the department, Dr. Kitchel is anything but the new kid on the block. Before graduating with both his bachelor’s and

1998 Top 10 Seniors of CFAES

1998 Top 10 Seniors of CFAES

master’s degrees from The Ohio State University in 1998 and 1998 respectively, Dr. Kitchel was an active and involved student. His resume included being the president of Ag Ed Society, the president of Phalanx (today known as CFAES ambassadors), and a brother of Alpha Tau Zeta, (now FarmHouse Fraterntiy, ATZ Chapter), just to name a few.

After graduation in 1999 Dr. Kitchel spent a few years teaching agriculture and serving as the FFA advisor at Archbold High School where he met his wife Laura, who at the time was the choir teacher across the hall.

2013 National FFA Board of Directors

2013 National FFA Board of Directors

Returning back to school to earn his PhD in agricultural education from the University of Missouri in 2002, Dr. Kitchel then spent the next decade teaching both undergraduate and graduate classes, serving as director of graduate studies, as well as serving as assistant vice provost for graduate and postdoctoral affairs. His work took him to the University of Kentucky as well as back to the University of Missouri.

“When I had the opportunity to return home in a role allowing me to provide leadership for a department where I fell in love with higher education, I jumped at the chance. My career has come full circle from Ohio to Missouri to Kentucky back to Missouri and now back to Ohio,” Kitchel said.

Growing up on a hog and crops farm in northern Preble County, Dr. Kitchel was involved in 4-H and FFA. He attributes this background as being the guiding factor of pursing a career in agricultural education. To students, Dr. Kitchel advises to get involved in as much as you can and to study abroad, as travel will never be this affordable at any other time in your life. While grades are important, he is a firm believer that there is a lot of learning to be had outside of the classroom.

A movie buff in his spare time, the Dr. Kitchel says his basement is decorated in movie posters such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, Star Trek, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. For vacation, Tracy and his wife Laura – along with their two daughters Isabel and Violet -love going to Disney World. 

Tracy, wife Laura, and daughters Isabel and Violet at Disneyworld meeting Chewbaca from Star Wars.

Tracy, wife Laura, and daughters Isabel and Violet at Disneyworld meeting Chewbaca from Star Wars.

Where Are They Now: Meg Bennett

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Graduating with a degree in agricultural communication from Ohio State in 2015, Meg Bennett has since landed a job at FLM+ in the Dublin area as an Associate Client Relationship Team Leader (ACRTL). FLM+ is a consulting, marketing, and communications company that specializes in agriculture and environmental sMeghan_Bennett_0003ciences to help improve the lives and health of plants, animals, people and communities. As part of their ag retail team, Meg helps to manage both internal client teams as well as client relationships in order to deliver wide-open thinking, world-class work, and far-reaching results to both meet and exceed the needs of FLM+’s clients.

While a student at Ohio State, Meg was heavily involved in various organizations including Alpha Zeta Partners, Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, and Agriculture Future of America (AFA) – just to name a few. As a senior she served as the 2015 AgriNaturalist editor.

Now an alumna, Meg enjoys spending her weekends back home on the farm in Shelby County, Ohio. She has stayed active with both Sigma Alpha and AFA where she currently serves as vice president of Ohio State’s Sigma Alpha Alumni Chapter and is a member of the Forty Chances Fellows Legacy Committee, which is affiliated with AFA.

Having been graduated for a full year, Meg has had time to look back on her college years. When asked what she misses most about her time spent at Ohio State, Meg said she will always remember the time she spent abroad with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences faculty, staff and students in Costa Rica, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

 

Meet Our Graduate Students: Elizabeth Hustead

Elizabeth_Hustead

Elizabeth Hustead

After graduating with a master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Florida, Elizabeth Hustead came to Ohio State where she graduated this past May with her second master’s degree, this time in agricultural communication. Having spent the past two years in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership (ACEL), Elizabeth is now out in the real world where she has begun her career in the position of social marketing coordinator in Ohio SNAP-Ed.

Elizabeth’s research at Ohio State was the flagship project of an innovative partnership between ACEL and the Center for Applied Plant Sciences (CAPS). She worked with CAPS’s scientific research teams to pilot a cutting-edge communications platform aimed at facilitating collaborative research within and across geographically dispersed teams.

In her current position as a social marketing coordinator, Elizabeth works with SNAP-Ed offices throughout the state to launch a social marketing campaign promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among SNAP recipients with children.

SNAP-Ed is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s goal is to: “improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles consistent with the current dietary guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.”

Elizabeth says that her ACEL degree and the connections she made during her time as a graduate research student were instrumental in discovering her passion for food security issues and securing her position in social marketing, which she loves.

To learn more about graduate opportunities within ACEL, contact Mary Kivel by emailing kivel.1@osu.edu

 

Where Are They Now: Stacie Seger

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“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?”

-T.S. Eliot

 

While graduation in May of 2015 feels like both yesterday and 5 years ago for agricultural communication major Stacie Seger, this quote by poet T.S. Eliot perfectly sums up her first year post-college. While at Ohio State, Stacie was energetically involved in a variety of organizations. Serving as president for the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club in 2014, Stacie was also active in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Student Council, the Ohio State Board of Trustees as an Undergraduate Trustee, the SPHINX Senior Class Honorary, and Saddle and Sirloin Club.

Upon graduation, Stacie began working for Ohio Corn & Wheat as their communication manager, overseeing all communication and media relations for their three organizations: Ohio Corn Checkoff, Ohio Small Grains Checkoff, and Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. As the communication manager, Stacie is thankful for all of the communication skills that her degree in agricultural communication at Ohio State exposed her to. She utilizes these skills at Ohio Corn & Wheat by managing the social media accounts, and writing their newsletters as well as news releases. She also serves as the OCW photographer and videographer. Beyond that, Stacie manages their consumer brand, builds and maintains relationships with media outlets, and represents their organization at national meetings and events.

As advice to prospective or current students in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, Stacie encourages gaining exposure to as many different facets of communications, education, leadership, and agriculture as possible.
“The diversity in experiences will help you develop a wide variety of skills and it will help you figure out your true passions,” vouches Stacie. She also says that the exposure to all of those things will aide in developing a diverse network of relationships. She believes that building and strengthening relationships should be a key goal of college. Her advice can be most perfectly summed up with the sentiment-

“It’s a small world out there, and it is so important to have a strong Rolodex.”

christmasStacie Seger and Derek McCracken

 

Where Are They Now: Caroline Weihl

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Two years ago, Caroline Weihl graduated from The Ohio State University from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. Today, she is using those experiences to help American farmers in the Midwest as a seed advisor manager with Syngenta in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Caroline knew in college that she wanted to be able to speak on behalf of today’s agriculturalists, and make a difference in the industry. Upon graduation, with a degree in agricultural communication and a minor in agribusiness, Caroline started a four-month training role in the Syngenta Developmental Sales Representative Program where she managed a territory and learned day-to-day sales. From there, she moved within the company working in the Crop Protection Business. Now as a seed advisor manager, Caroline works with Syngenta Seed Advisors offering value through seed and seed care. afa2015_1540

While spending her undergraduate career focused on agricultural communication and being an AgriNaturalist editor, the position of “seed advisor manager” wasn’t exactly on Caroline’s radar. Never having any practical experience outside of one class in college, Caroline wouldn’t have dreamed that her degree in agricultural communication would lead her down this path. However, with an open mind and a lot of ambition, Caroline followed where her opportunities led her. Even now, working in what is primarily an agribusiness position, Caroline draws upon her agricultural communication background.

Aside from working with Syngenta, Caroline spends her time bodybuilding, crafting, cooking, traveling, and, aligned with her degree in communications, she loves photography. Offering some words of wisdom to future graduates, Caroline says, “One of the best pieces of advice I have to give is to have an open mind in college about where your career can go.”

 

FFA turned a shy teen to a public speaking faculty member

By Dr. Emily Buck
Professor
The Ohio State University

If anyone had looked at me when I was 12 they never would have thought I would be standing in front of people teaching everyday.

I was a shy sheep girl who kept to herself. My agriculture teacher changed all of that!

I will never forget my first state FFA convention on Ohio State’s campus. The mass of blue jackets walking around High Street, sitting in the auditorium watching as the state officers shared their retiring address and kids win awards for their dedication to agriculture. My ag teacher turned to my friend and I and said, “that will be you.” At that moment I knew I was going to be involved.

Three years later as I prepared to graduate from high school I had another memorable state convention. I can’t tell you which I am more proud of: receiving the state degree, winning the state sheep proficiency, or being elected state treasurer.

The FFA had set me up to be successful in all I did from there on out. Because of that I strive every year to help or give back to the organization that gave me so much. I was in 4-H and loved it, but FFA is what made me who I am.

The nights at FFA camp raiding the kitchen as a state officer, dancing on stage at opening session of “my” state convention, to the long drives to national convention in Kansas City, they all had an impact on me.

Buck was elected as State Treasurer for the Ohio FFA Association.

Buck was elected as State Treasurer for the Ohio FFA Association.

 

A visit to Washington DC.

A visit to Washington DC.

 

As State Treasurer of the Ohio FFA Association, Buck visited high schools around the state.

As State Treasurer of the Ohio FFA Association, Buck visited high schools around the state.

 

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Survey for Alumni

In 2017, the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership will celebrate its 100th Anniversary.

Agricultural Communication students currently in AgComm 5130 are working on a public relations plan for the celebration. Conducting a survey of alumni of our major, as well as alumni of the agricultural and extension education, agriscience education, and community leadership majors, is one of their assignments.

Please take a few moments to share in this survey how you envision celebrating and recognizing a great accomplishment within the Department for all of those previously, currently and yet to be involved.

ACEL Alumni Reunion and Game Watch

Alumni Reunion - Web Header, Top Marquee
Greetings, alumni!

We would like to invite all alumni of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership to join us for a reunion on November 14, 2015 at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill in Columbus, Ohio as the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois.

Complimentary appetizers will be served beginning 30 minutes before kickoff*. Guests will be able to order additional items and beverages from the restaurant menu. A children’s menu will also be available at the restaurant.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at go.osu.edu/ReunionRSVP. Questions? Email acel@osu.edu or call 614.247.6358.

ACEL Alumni Reunion and Game Watch
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill
775 Yard Street
Columbus, Ohio 43212

*A kick-off time has not been set as of October 12, 2015. We will update the website information as soon as it is set by the media and Big Ten Conference.

If you have any questions about the event or need to make changes to your reservation, please contact Emily at 614.247.6358 or acel@osu.edu.

We look forward to seeing you there!
Go Buckeyes!

Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership Alumni Board

ACEL Alumni Participate in Pelotonia

On August 8, several of our ACEL alumni participated in the 7th Annual Pelotonia.

Pelotonia is a grassroots bike tour with one goal, end cancer. Started in 2008, Pelotonia has become one of the top athletic fundraisers in the country. In 2014, 7,270 Riders from 41 states and 10 countries participated along with 3,700 Virtual Riders and 2,617 Volunteers. Together, they raised over $21 million, bringing Pelotonia’s grand fundraising total to $82.3 million in 6 years. In 2015 they have already raised more than $13 million. Donations can continue until October 9, 2015.

In Saturday’s Columbus Dispatch, agricultural and extension education alum Alison Deady was featured as a current breast cancer patient. Deady was diagnosed in April and is currently undergoing treatment at The James. All money raised for Pelotonia goes directly to The James Cancer Hospital at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. You can read about Deady’s journey and the Pelotonia event here or like her Facebook page “Ali strong” on ways to support her.

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Alumni that participated include: Kelly Newlon (agricultural and extension education), Emily Wickham (agricultural communication) and Stacie Seger (agricultural communication). Newlon completed the 50 mile route, while Wickham and Seger completed the 100 mile route.

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Any current students and alumni who are interested in participating in Pelotonia in the future as a member of a team for our Department or College, please email Emily Wickham at wickham.24@osu.edu.

ACEL Alum named Teacher of the Year

Katrina Swinehart, a 2011 (B.S) and 2013 (M.S.) graduate of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, was recently selected as one of DuPont Pioneer’s Agriscience Teachers of the Year. The applications go through several rounds of evaluation by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, with 50 teachers ultimately chosen for this honor.

Katrina Swinehart

As an Agriscience Teacher of the Year, she attended an intense one-week training at DuPont’s Chesapeake Farms in Chesterton, Maryland where the teacher winners learn about inquiry-based learning strategies and prepare workshops that will be presented to teachers at various national and state events. Swinehart said, “I learned dozens of new strategies to use inquiry in my classroom. We also learned literacy strategies to use seamlessly with our class content.”

Swinehart began teaching high school AgriScience courses in June 2013. She currently teaches at Cedarville High School and Greeneview High School for the Greene County Career Center.

“During high school, I was heavily involved with the Agricultural Science and FFA programs at my high school,” Swinehart said. “My ag teachers made an impact on my community and fellow students and I decided that’s what I wanted to spend my career doing too.”

Pieces of this article were orginally published on grownextgen.org.