Kamiar Kouzekanani, Ph.D., is a native of Tehran, Iran and a professor of quantitative methods in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). He has doctoral degrees from both The Ohio State University (Agricultural Education, 1983) and University of Miami (Educational Research, 1988).

His areas of expertise are applied statistics and quantitative research methods.  He has authored and co-authored a large number of peer-reviewed, theory-driven, and data-based journal articles (56, as of July 2017), book chapters (three, as of July 2017), abstracts (three, as of July 2017) and conference papers (27, as of July 2017) and posters (44, as of July 2017) in topics related to educational leadership, reading and language arts, adult education, teacher education, diabetes education, substance abuse, and body composition.

Dr. Kouzekanani was research assistant professor at the University of Miami (1988–1992), School of Nursing’s coordinator of evaluation and research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (1992–1999), and a member of two research teams at the University of Texas at Austin (1999–2004) prior to joining the TAMU-CC faculty in January 2005.

Between 1988 and 2004, he served as the quantitative methodologist in multi-year studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Nursing Research, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at US Department of Health and Human Services, US Army Medical Research and Material Command, and US Department of Education.

At TAMU-CC, in addition to serving on doctoral dissertation committees as either the chair (46, as of July 2017) or the methodologist (52, as of July 2017) and providing the College of Education and Human Development faculty with consultation in the areas of research design and data analysis, Dr. Kouzekanani teaches graduate level courses in applied statistics, quantitative research methods, and dissertation research.  He was the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Doctoral Mentor at TAMU-CC.

Dr. Kouzekanani is an avid long-distance runner and has run marathons in all 50 states.  At Ohio State, he was mentored by Dr. Larry Miller, whom he still considers as his role model.  He is a longtime member of The Ohio State University Alumni Organization.

Dr. Joe Harper, originally of Luray, Virginia, graduated with a doctoral degree in agricultural education in 1983. Following more than 33 years as a college professor of agricultural education, Harper recently retired from the University of Illinois.

[ACEL]:Why did you select your major or graduate program?
[Harper]: All my life, education and professional experiences have been in agriculture. I have dedicated my entire professional career to education about agriculture.

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
The dedication of the program towards teaching, research, and service towards teaching and learning for agriculture.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
My graduate program inspired me to pursue a career in college teaching.

What were you involved in as an Ohio State student?
I was fortunate to have a graduate teaching assistantship with Dr. Gliem in the Agricultural Engineering department.

What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
All of the classes that were related to research methods and analysis because of the aspects and applications of critical thinking and problem-solving.

What professor, faculty or staff member had an impact on your education/career?
I cannot name just one, Drs. Gliem, McCracken, Newcomb, Warmbrod and Barrick for their guidance, leadership, mentoring and professionalism

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
Attending the department’s social activities with the faculty, staff and other students, such as pregame tailgates.

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
I was employed as an instructor at ATI the Agricultural Technical institute in Wooster, Ohio for about a year and half.

For what schools, companies and/or organizations have you worked throughout your career and what were your responsibilities in those positions?
These are the positions and institutions I have had throughout my career

• 1973-78 Agriculture Teacher, Loudoun Valley High School, Purcellville, Virginia
• 1978-80 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Penn State University.
• 1980-83 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Ohio State University.
• 1983-84 Instructor, Agricultural Technical Institute, Wooster, Ohio
• 1984-90 Assistant Professor, University of Nevada-Reno
• 1990-1998 Associate Professor, Clemson University
• 1998-2017 Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

During your career, honors or awards have you been presented?
I have been recognized on several occasions, the most significant for me was to be honored by undergraduate students for my teaching and advising.

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
For the later part of my career I was the program coordinator for the Technical Systems Management degree program.  The undergraduate program grew to more than 200 majors and had the highest employment placement rates and starting salaries the college. During that period we were able to develop and implement a new graduate program with a graduate program option in Professional Sciences.

What advice would you give to a current student?
Your degree program is a means to a career, not an end in itself, work towards a career that you has value to you, focus, and work with dedication.

What did ACEL cultivate in you?
Fostering critical thinking, with a foundation in problem-solving, and the perspective that it is not what you know, but what you are able to do.

Ellen S. Gilliland graduated in 2014 with a degree in agricultural communication. She now works for Ohio Corn and Wheat as a project manager and stays active in the Ohio State community.

[ACEL]: Hi Ellen! You majored in agricultural communication. Why did you select that major?
[Gilliland]: I choose agricultural communication as my major because I loved agriculture and I loved talking. It seemed so simple and obvious. Little did I know how impactful the classes would be and how much more communication is beyond talking.

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
I had decided that I wanted to go to Ohio State before I had decided what my major would be. I wanted to stay within Ohio for my education and I wanted to go to an excellent school that had a major allowing me to further my experience within agriculture. Ohio State was the answer to all of my hopes and dreams.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
My decision to Ohio State and my education from there is the whole reason I have a career! Since my first day at Ohio State I was exposed to job opportunities, learning experiences and way to better myself as a student and a professional.

You were really involved on campus outside of the classroom. Share some of the organizations and experiences in which you participated.
I was a very active and involved student, within my classes, major, college and the university. Some of the organizations I was in included: Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (president), National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (Vice President), College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Peer Mentors (transition student lead), Buckeyes Against Hunger (founder, secretary), Saddle & Sirloin (committee chair), CFAES Student Council (president), Beanie Drake student scholarship and endowment board of directors (secretary), Undergraduate Student Government campaigns (grounds game), CFAES Towers Honorary (vice president), Alpha Sigma Upsilon (president). Though this is a long list and to some is nothing but a long list of meetings, agendas, and so on. To me this is a list of memories, accomplishments, learning moments, teaching moments, experiences and impact. Each organization served a specific purpose in shaping my college career. Each organization holds a special place in my heart.

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
As a senior at Ohio State I was selected as one of three recipients among all undergraduate students for the Spirit of a Buckeye award. To be selected, you have to be nominated by a faculty or staff member or student. Spirit of a Buckeye recipients are selected based on achievements in both academics and other involvement across the university. This was such an honor, and I think it is really a perfect way to describe my mentality while I was studying there and even now.

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
Upon graduation I moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked for RFD-TV as the marketing manager.

Where has your career taken you since your first job?
I currently work for Ohio Corn & Wheat as the project manager. As the project manager, I oversee several initiatives to represent Ohio grain farmers and provide long-term profitability. My duties include overseeing student member benefits, leadership initiatives, assisting with communication, supervising the internship program, event planning and all meeting coordinating. Previously, I worked as the marketing manager at RFD-TV in Omaha, Nebraska and worked with the Chief Marketing Officer to organize and execute projects such as ads, publications, and commercials with the creative team.

During your career, honors or awards have you been presented?
Though the work I do is not for the recognition, but rather the commitment to being that person to help students like the alumni that helped me as a student, I have been recognized for my time and effort. Just 3.5 years into my alumni status I was both surprised and honored to be named distinguished alumni by three different groups already! Alpha Sigma Upsilon, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and Alpha Zeta Partners have recognized me for contributing to their organizations.

What advice would you give to a current student?
I would suggest to current students to get involved outside of the classroom with student organizations and internships. I would recommend traveling abroad and gaining understanding of a global perspective. I would advise them to have fun and soak up the networking, opportunities and memories that they experiences every day while at Ohio State.

What did ACEL cultivate in you? How?
ACEL cultivated in me an appreciation for all that is available outside of my comfort zone. Everything from international experiences to career opportunities and new ways of thinking to skills that have set me up for success.

Ellen and family following her graduation from Ohio State.

Ellen and some of her best college friends at the CFAES Recognition Program.

Showing a sheep at the 2014 Little International Showmanship Competition.

Working at RFD-TV in Omaha, Nebraska.

Dr. Clarence J. Cunningham graduated in 1953 with his bachelors degree in agricultural education. After teaching, he returned to complete his masters degree in 1958 and a doctoral degree in 1964. He is now retired from The Ohio State University as professor emeritus.

Dr. Cunningham reflects on his decision to attend Ohio State, his time as a student in our department and his professional career.

While high school teachers encouraged me to go to college, the decision to major in agricultural education was influenced most by Dr. Howard Miller, a graduate of the department who was the county extension educator with the 4-H program in Wayne County. My interest in attending Ohio State University was initiated by having been on the campus many times for speech and theatre state programs while I was in high school.  I had an interest in poultry science but really wanted to be an educator in the 4-H field.

My undergraduate program in agricultural education started while a resident in the stadium dorm with 17 other entering freshmen.  By the third quarter there were eight of us left living in the dorm – which means ten were not enrolled at OSU.

Beside academic study, my focus was on involvement in student organizations and working to earn money to stay in college.  My primary student organizations were the University 4-H Club and the Agricultural Education Society.  In later years I was also in an agricultural fraternity, Alpha Gamma Sigma.  My part time work included being a referee at student softball games, selling shoes, analyzing farm account records for the University staff.  My success in finding summer work permitted me to be able to graduate with no debt.

The decision to continue with the MS and PhD degrees at The Ohio State University was influenced Dr. Ralph Bender, my academic adviser, and Dr. Robert McCormick.

They both stressed my need for the advanced degrees and helped me find ways to finance additional education.

My undergraduate study focused on study in agricultural education, dairy science, animal nutrition, and agricultural engineering.  I was pleased with my introduction to the department by having course work with Dr. Wilbur F. Stewart, the first chair of the department and Dr. Ralph E. Bender, the then chair of the department. They were successful in challenging me to be successful and guided my early study.

My favorite memory of my undergraduate study was that I became acquainted with a young lady from a farm who would become my wife and partner for the next almost 40 years.

Initial Employment
At graduation with the BS degree I decided that teaching vocational agriculture would be beneficial, even though my interest in working the OSU Extension Education program continued. Traveling throughout Western and Northwestern  Ohio with other graduates to meet with local school boards resulted in my being hired to teach vocational agriculture at Northwestern in Raymond, Ohio.  It was a successful and wonderful experience.

The U. S. Army then continued my education resulting with an introduction to understanding military intelligence.  An early discharge permitted me to return to OSU to complete my masters degree.

Professional Career 1957 Forward
My professional career from that point forward was with The Ohio State University in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science.   The first position was as a county extension 4-H educator in Pickaway County where we resided in Circleville.

Two plus years later we accepted an offer to join the OSU campus Extension Service with assignment to the 4-H staff.   About three years later with encouragement I was moved to complete my PhD degree while continuing part time work in the Department of Agricultural Education and the Extension rducation.

After completion of the PhD degree I was assigned 30% time to Agricultural Education and 70% time to the Extension education.

ACEL 1960-1979
I taught the introductory course for two years while also starting my work with teaching graduate courses in program development, evaluation, and research methods.

During the 1960s and 1970s my focus was on graduate education. No records show the how many students I had in classes. My records do show my having served as academic adviser to degree completion the following number of students:

Masters Degree 45
PhD Degree  21

Extension Education-1957-1980
During this period of time my responsibilities changed several times but included a focus on planning noncredit education, directing orientation programs for new employees, directing the evaluation of the Ohio Extension Education programs, and planning educational experiences for international visitors.

Taught formal courses for one to three weeks on other campuses –course content generally dealt with program development and evaluation, but modified to meet current need of current employees.   Courses were taught at the following universities:

Central State University at Cedarville, Ohio –one year
University of Guelph at Guelph, Ontario. Canada –two years
Colorado State University at Ft, Collins, Colorado-two years
University of Minnesota at Duluth. Minnesota –two years
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada –one year

Taught at several Regional and National Extension Workshops and in-state workshops at the University of Illinois and University of Kentucky

Severed on several national committees including:  planning evaluation for new food and nutritional program, designing new evaluation system for Extension Service, designing no needed program directions in the country, fiscal management in Extension.

Extension Education in the 1980’s
In the early 1980’s my responsibilities became full time employment with the Ohio State University Extension.  My responsibilities focused on personnel and financial issues of the organization.

Volunteer Work in Retirement

• Hilliard Kiwanis- Volunteer and Past President
• Served on steering committee to raise $16.5 million to build the
• Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
• Serve on the Board of Wesley Communities(3) and Past Chairman
• Serve on the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board member and Nominating Chair

Honors and Awards

• Served as National President of Epsilon Sigma Phi, 1988-1990
• Distinguished Alumni Award, College of FAES
• Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame, 2005
• Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2004
• Laureate in National 4-H Hall of Fame, 2015

With my former advisor, enjoying our retirement in Florida.

At my grandson’s wedding.

Rosemarie crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2004

Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti is from Columbus and completed her bachelor, master and doctoral degrees at Ohio State. She is currently self-employed as the president of Rossetti Enterprises Inc.

Why did you select your major or graduate program?
I selected a dual major in agricultural education and horticulture for my undergraduate program. I had always enjoyed school as a student and wanted to become a teacher. In high school I took a horticulture class my senior year and knew that I wanted to learn more about plants and focus on this subject in college

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
I choose Ohio State because it was close to my home so I could live at home and commute. Ohio State had the majors I was interested in and was affordable.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
I attended Ohio State for my B.S. (1975), M.S. (1979) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees. I chose agricultural education for all my degrees. My first job when I graduated was teaching horticulture at the Delaware Career Center. After three years of teaching, I returned to Ohio State for my graduate education. In 1986, I was hired on the faculty in the Department of Agricultural Education and continued teaching there until 1997.

What campus activities were you involved in as an Ohio State student?
As a graduate student I was the president of the Graduate Student Association in the Department of Agricultural Education for a year. I was hired by the Department as a graduate teaching assistant and research assistant.

What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
The classes I enjoyed the most were the teaching methods classes taught by Dr. L.H. Newcomb. I found these classes to be totally relevant since my career path was to be a teacher. Newcomb made the classes lively, interesting, and interactive. He was a master teacher showing how people learned and how to teach.

What faculty member played an important role to you during your education?
Dr. L.H. Newcomb. He was a graduate teaching assistant when I enrolled in my first agricultural education class as an undergraduate student. He was a wonderful instructor and taught me what I needed to do in order to teach. He encouraged me to take my first job teaching horticulture.

When I enrolled in the department as a graduate student, he was my faculty advisor and taught the teaching methods class. He was also the leading faculty member for my dissertation. Again I learned from him. He was a role model to me. I was fascinated in how clearly he communicated. As a speaker he was eloquent and chose his words wisely.

In 1986, when there was an opening for a new faculty member to be hired in the department, I interviewed with Newcomb and many others. Newcomb called me at home to invite me to start working at the Department. He became my boss. I continued to learn from him.

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
Being a part of the Department as a graduate student was an exciting time for me. I became friends with many fellow students and the faculty. I enjoyed being a teaching assistant for the communications and teaching methods classes. The other graduate students who had offices in the Department were my best friends. They took the same classes as me and we studied together. Social events were always a fun break including being on the water polo team with them. 

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
My first job when I graduated was teaching horticulture at the Delaware Career Center.

Share the positions you have held throughout your career.

Rossetti Enterprises Inc., Columbus, OH
Speaker, consultant, author
President, January 1997 – Present

Fortuna Press, Columbus, OH
Publisher and author of “Take Back Your Life! Regaining your footing after life throws you a curve”
President, April 2003 – Present

Rosewell Publishing Inc., Columbus, OH
Publisher and co-author of “The Healthy Indoor Plant”
President, October 1991 – September 2000

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Assistant Professor, July 1990-January 1997
Vocational Education Consultant, October 1987-June 1990
Instructor, September 1986-September 1987
Graduate Teaching Associate, September 1978-June 1982

Stanford Interior Gardens, Inc., Columbus, OH
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, July 1978 – September 1986

Delaware Career Center,  Delaware, OH
Horticulture Instructor, August 1975 – July 1978

During your career, honors or awards have you been presented?

Instructor of the Year – Columbus Realtors – April 2016
Tourism Partner of the Year – Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau – March 2016
Proclamation from the Ohio Senate – December 2014
Unsung Hero Humanitarian Award – People of Distinction Foundation – October 2014
Twenty Outstanding Women You Should Know – 2008
National “Roll Model” Discovery Through Design – 2005
Wheelchair Ohio – 2004
Winter Olympic Torchbearer – 2002
Remarkable Women Award – 2002
National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter Award – 2002
Woman Business Entrepreneur of the Year- 1999
Women in New Growth Stages – Women Honoree Award – 1999
Franklin Park Conservatory – Recognition of Service Award – Board of Trustees – 1999
The Ohio State University College of Agriculture Teaching Award – 1995

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
I am most proud of working with my husband, Mark Leder as we led a national design team, served as the general contractors, and built our home, the Universal Design Living Laboratory.

This is a national demonstration home and garden that showcases universal design, accessible design, and green building practices. Because of my spinal cord injury on June 13, 1998, I needed a home that would provide me independence since I use a wheelchair. This home project spanned a 10 year journey for Mark and me. Much of my current speaking, writing and consulting are centered on our home. 

What advice would you give to a current student?
You were attracted to your major because of many experiences in your life and a vision for what you want to do and who you want to become. Realize that learning is a lifelong process. Continue to pursue advanced degrees, new areas of study, and seek out certifications in your field of study.

What did ACEL cultivate in you?
The ACEL Department cultivated friendships with the faculty, students and staff in the Department, in other Departments, and in the College. When I think back on the decades that I have spent in the Department, I think of the people I worked for, worked with, and had as students in my classes. I cherish and continue to nurture these life-long friendships.

Rosemarie and her husband, Mark Leder, in their home the Universal Design Living Laboratory

Rosemarie speaking at her client’s Leaders Conference.