News Release: Landaverde receives University’s Presidential Fellowship

Rafael Landaverde, graduate associate and doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) at the Ohio State University, has received the University’s Presidential Fellowship.

The Presidential Fellowship recognizes outstanding scholarly accomplishments and potential graduate students entering the final phase of their dissertation research or terminal degree project. It provides financial support so the candidate can devote one year of full-time study to the completion of the dissertation or degree project.

“Rafael has worked extremely hard as a doctoral student in our department and is deserving of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Shannon Washburn, professor and chair of ACEL. “As he enters his final phase of his education, this award will allow Rafael to focus on the completion of his dissertation project that explores how to strengthen the post-harvest capacities among small-scale farmers in rural Central America.”

His research project could have a substantial effect on the future adoption of technologies that will in turn make a large impact on the lives of small-scale famers in low- and middle-income countries.

Landaverde is a graduate of Texas Tech University where he earned a masters in agricultural education and is also a graduate of Zamorano University in Honduras with a bachelor’s degree in environment and development.

Students in the ACEL graduate program at Ohio State may specialize in agricultural communication, agricultural education, community and extension education, international development, or leadership. The agricultural communication, education, and leadership graduate program offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares students for careers as administrators, specialists, university faculty and researchers.

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Collins-Warfield awarded AGGRS

Amy Collins-Warfield was recently awarded the Alumni Grants for Graduate Research and Scholarship also known as AGGRS. This program provides small grants up to $5,000 to support the research and scholarship of doctoral or terminal master’s degree candidates for their dissertations or thesis.  

This annual competition takes place during autumn semester and is tied to financial need. Awards are made on the merit of the proposal, which must be for work that is essential to the dissertation or thesis. 

Congratulations Amy!

2020 Autumn Semester Graduates

This past Sunday, Ohio State held it’s 426th Commencement Ceremony (and third virtual ceremony).
 
Our department had eight undergraduate students and six graduate students complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees at the end of Autumn Semester 2020.
Undergraduate students include:

Trent Baldwin
community leadership
Salinas, California

Lisa Brenner
community leadership
Sunbury, Ohio

Grace Daniels
community leadership
Massillon, Ohio

Josie Montoney
agricultural communication
Lancaster, Ohio

Madelynn Skillings
agricultural communication
South Charleston, Ohio

Jon Stepp
agricultural communication
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Kamala Sweeney
agricultural communication
Canal Winchester, Ohio

Rhiann Travis
agricultural communication
Poolville, Texas

Graduate students include:

Paige Andrews
Bloomville, Ohio

Alisha Barton
Tipp City, Ohio

Kenzie Johnston
Delaware, Ohio

Hank LeVan
Woodstock, Ohio

Abigail Sanders
Clarksville, Arkansas

Haley Shoemaker
Salem, Ohio

 
Congratulations to these students and thank you for allowing ACEL to be your academic home during your time at Ohio State! You will forever be an ACEL Buckeye!
 

News Release: Landaverde receives international fellowship

Rafael Quijada Landaverde, graduate associate and doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) at The Ohio State University was named one of seven recipients of the Kirchner Food Fellowship.

The Kirchner Food Fellowship is a pioneer in the lean investment movement, harnessing the power of highly-committed millennial talent to find, fund and assist promising socially-responsible, for-profit agricultural businesses. Through the use of a “real-world, real-time, real-money” model the program has proven that it is possible for newly formed investment teams to become effective venture capital allocators in a matter of months. The combination of compressed learning time frames and low operating costs makes it possible to more cost efficiently deploy smart and impactful capital in parts of the world where angel capital is needed most.

As the model spreads beyond North America, the Fellowship partners with local groups to establish resident teams in less developed economies. The program strengthens in-region capital allocation capacity, the apex element of any healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem that is well-networked into the global financial markets.

“We are excited for Rafael to be selected as recipient of this highly regarded fellowship,” said Dr. Shannon Washburn, professor and chair of ACEL. “His knowledge, talents, and experience will be an asset to his cohort and participating partners.”

The importance of the program has been greatly highlighted by COVID-19 and the worldwide focus on food security, from organizations, countries and regions. The program combines access to decades of institutional impact investment experience and the innovative problem-based learning approach honed over the last seven years. Landaverde will be part of the 2020-2021 cohort based in Mexico. The other is based out of the United States.

“Our selection process gets more and more difficult each year as the program’s profile grows, expanding our remarkable applicant pool,” commented Blair Kirchner, Director. “The fellowship will commence in early September, concurrent with the next Kirchner Investment Academy, a unique program designed to demystify investment for entrepreneurs and young professionals.”

Landaverde is a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned a master of science in agricultural education, and a graduate of Zamorano University in Honduras with a bachelor of science in environment and development.

Students in the ACEL graduate program at Ohio State may specialize in agricultural communication, agricultural education, community and extension education, international development or leadership. The agricultural communication, education, and leadership graduate program offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares students for careers as administrators, specialists, university faculty and researchers.

Faculty and graduate students represent ACEL at virtual NACTA conference

Congratulations to our ACEL faculty and graduate students who represented our department so well at the annual NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) virtual conference held last week.

Dr. Susie Whittington, professor of agriscience education, was announced as the 2020 President-Elect.

Dr. Mary Rodriguez, assistant professor of community leadership, was recognized with a 2020 Educator Award.

Paper presented include:
“Comparing agriculture students’ migration intentions in El Salvador and Honduras” by Amy Boren Alpizar, Pablo Lamiño Jaramillo, and current ACEL Ph.D. student Rafael Landaverde (while student at Texas Tech).

“Evaluating the impact of an educational intervention on farmers in El Salvador” by current Ph.D. student Rafael Landaverde (while a student at Texas Tech), Amy E. Boren-Alpìzar, Sarahi Morales, Matt Baker and John Rayfield.

“Limitations and Opportunities of 4-H Clubs in Honduras: A Stakeholders View” by current Ph.D. student

Rafael Landaverde, Amy Boren-Alpizar, Stephen Brady, Dustin Homan, Patricia Arce and Marjorie Mayr.

“Student Perceptions Abroad: The Impacts of Climate Change in Trinidad & Tobago” by Ph.D. Rafael Landaverde and Mary Rodriguez.

Posters presented include:
“A Mixed-Methods Study on Teaching Methods for Andragogy on Gene-Editing Technology” by master’s student Robert Thiel, Amanda Bowling and Joy Rumble.

“A National Multi-Decade Look at Trends for Graduates of Agriculture and the Related Sciences” by Ph.D. student Aaron Giorgi and M. Susie Whittington.

“Autonomy, Collaboration, and Personal Development through a Capstone in Leadership” by master’s student Summer McLain, Jera Niewoehner-Green and master’s student Paige Andrews.

“A University Level Exploration of First-Generation Students of Agriculture and Related Sciences” by Ph.D. student Aaron Giorgi, M. Susie Whittington and Anne McDaniel.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Kenzie Johnston ’16


Kenzie Johnston is a current master’s student in agricultural communication, education, and leadership where she is specializing in leadership. She is from Richwood, Ohio and graduated with a B.S. in agricultural communication in 2016 from Ohio State.

She returned to ACEL for her master’s because she “wanted to become a more qualified extension educator.” She also added that “Ohio State feels like home to me and I love being a buckeye!”

Kenzie is currently working as an extension educator for Delaware County and is conducting research describing the efficacy of research videos used in extension education for her master’s degree.

When asked what she loves about Ohio State and the department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, she shared that “I love the traditions of Ohio State and CFAES has the greatest people.”

Graduate Student Spotlight: Abby Sanders

Abby Sanders is a first year master’s student in agricultural communication, education, and leadership, where she is specializing in agricultural communication. Hailing from Clarksville, Arkansas, Abby graduated with a bachelor’s in agricultural business from Arkansas Tech University in 2019.

She currently works as a teaching assistant with Tom Stewart in the Agricultural Communication 3130 (Oral Expression in Agriculture) where she assists during the instructional period and evaluates student speeches during labs. This semester she has also added a research project to her experiences and will be working with Dr. Joy Rumble.

As for her master’s project, Abby will be developing communication and marketing materials for the Arkansas Tech University (ATU) Department of Agriculture. This project is one of love as she knows it will help increase the visibility for her alma mater and give her a chance to work with her former instructors and peers.

She chose to come to Ohio State because she said, “I felt it was a great fit for me academically and the agricultural communication program and faculty are well-known in the industry. A degree from this university will open opportunities for me I wouldn’t have otherwise.” She comes from an agricultural business background and feels the combination of business and communication will serve her well when she enters the workforce.

When asked what she loves about Ohio State and the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, she said “Similar to my previous experience at ATU, the culture in this program is wonderful. I have found lifelong friends and professional connections that will truly change my life. Choosing Ohio State will always be one of my best decisions.”

Warnimont defends master’s thesis

Join us in congratulating Emily Warnimont on the successful defense of her master’s thesis titled “Women agvocates’ approaches to using Instagram.”

Warnimont is a student in our online master’s degree program for agricultural and extension education.

Dr. Annie Specht served as her advisor and Dr. Caryn Filson was a member of her committee.

Congratulations Emily!

Isaacs defends master’s thesis

 

Congratulations to Emily Isaacs, and agricultural and extension education master’s student, on the successful defense of her thesis “Toward Smart City Goals: Promoting Sustainable Commutes Among University Students.”

Isaacs advisor was Dr. Mary Rodriguez and Dr. Joy Rumble served as her committee member.

Congratulations Emily!