For Layna Gordon, a student from Newark, Ohio, choosing Ohio State ATI was about finding a place that felt familiar, meaningful, and personal. This agriscience education student knew she wanted a college experience that reflected the small-town values she grew up with—where people know one another, care deeply, and work together to succeed. When she arrived on ATI’s campus, she found exactly that.
Layna quickly discovered that ATI is a place where students are truly seen and supported. From the faculty and staff to her peers, the sense of community stood out immediately. “I knew I didn’t want to be just a number,” she shared. “At Ohio State ATI, I’ve found personal connection.” The relationships she’s built with professors and fellow students have made ATI feel like a true home away from home.
One of Layna’s most impactful experiences has been her early field experience through the agriscience education program. Spending one day a week in a high school classroom at Ridgewood High School in Coshocton County, she shadows her mentor ag teachers, Mr. Logan Pyers and Mrs. Sue Davis. This hands-on experience has affirmed her passion for teaching and excites her about a future career as an agricultural educator.
Outside the classroom, Layna is highly involved on campus. She’s a member of Agricultural Communicators, Educators, and Leaders of Tomorrow (ACELT), serves as the Night for Young Professionals Chair, and has been a member of the ATI Homecoming Court. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking and baking, and being outdoors camping or boating.
As a student ambassador, Layna looks forward to welcoming prospective students and their families during open houses, a role she finds incredibly rewarding. While she’s felt at home throughout her time at ATI, that feeling began even earlier. During her senior year campus tour, Layna realized the students here shared her core values and formed intentional connections. “Being at home for me isn’t about the space,” she said. “It’s about the people.” That sense of belonging is what continues to define her ATI experience.