Former ALEC Students and Friends,
I could not be more pleased with our progress in producing impactful research in our respective areas of applied youth education and development, communications and journalism, and leadership education and development. Our research is programmatic and aligned with United States Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation priorities.
We have bolstered our research capabilities by strategically investing in human capital. In the spring, food scientist Dr. Hankie Oluko from the Malawi University of Science and Technology spent four months on campus as a Fulbright Scholar, developing tools to determine a graduate food science curriculum framework in Malawi.
This fall, we will employ four full-time post-doctoral researchers and a research scientist in ALEC. We have admitted new graduate students from across the U.S., as well as from India, Indonesia, Ghana and Nigeria. We also welcome Dr. Kelsi Opat, a new instructional assistant professor, as well as Mr. Clint Saunders, a visiting professor of practice, and Dr. Joe Mask, a visiting professor of practice.
Dr. Rafael Landaverde begins this year as an assistant professor, tenure track. Dr. Dara Wald, associate professor, and Dr. Andrea Ettekal were both granted tenure by the Board of Regents, and Dr. Ettekal was promoted to associate professor. Dr. Chad Nelson was promoted to instructional associate professor, and Dr. Darlene Locke, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, was promoted to associate professor.
Our graduate students continue to excel and are in high demand. Former master’s student Amber Chambers won the Outstanding Thesis Award at the American Association for Agricultural Education’s National Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Also recognized at the conference were Dr. Robert Strong – Outstanding Researcher Award, Dr. Jack Elliot – Outstanding International Award and Dr. Rafael Landaverde – Outstanding Dissertation Award. Dr. Landaverde’s dissertation research was at The Ohio State University under the direction of ALEC graduate Dr. Mary Rodriquez.
I want to close my message by thanking our faculty, staff and students for their extraordinary research effort. I also want to thank Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences; Patricia Klein, Ph.D., executive associate dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Patrick Stover, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture, for their continued support of our research programs.
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Agricultural education with a ‘lifetime warranty’
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The 2023 Summer Ag Academy offered a full buffet of continuing education for high school agriculture teachers nationwide. Whether welding, floral design, wildlife and range management or curriculum development, the week-long event led by the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications at Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provided high-demand programming for 375 participants from around Texas and the nation.
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Research, publications and education projects
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Our research scientists and AgriLife Extension experts are committed to developing innovative solutions and disseminating resources. Through the pursuit of agricultural education, leadership development and enhanced science communication, our faculty provide premier thought leadership to guide decision-making, helping people and communities thrive. Learn more about their current projects.
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Master of Recreation and Youth Development
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The Master of Recreation and Youth Development (to be renamed the Master of Applied Youth Development come Fall 2024) is now a program in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. This degree is designed for active and progressive youth development professionals who aspire to continue to pursue their careers while earning a graduate professional degree.
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| ALEC Advisory Board new member spotlight |
Robert Easter, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
University of Illinois
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The College of Agriculture Development Council is a volunteer organization committed to supporting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its students. Members of The Council include both former students and friends of the College, many of whom are industry leaders across the state and nation. From lawyers and bankers to ranchers and department professors, members provide expertise across the agriculture and life sciences sector.
Several faculty members in the department are members.
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Faculty members accept administrative appointments
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Three faculty members in the department recently accepted administrative appointments in addition to their research and teaching positions:
Kim Dooley, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty affairs in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Allison Dunn, Ph.D., associate department head for undergraduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.
Lori Moore, Ph.D., undergraduate ombuds official with the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
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Jacob Robinson '11, CEO of Dig World, created an amusement park where children and adults can learn how to operate heavy construction equipment like skid steers, UTVs and excavators. The vision behind Dig World came from Robinson’s 8-year-old son who’s always loved construction equipment. After his son contracted bacterial meningitis and was left with physical and cognitive disabilities, Robinson wanted to create a place where everyone could have fun no matter their condition.
Robinson is an ALEC graduate, former Dr. Joe D. Townsend '67 ALEC Leadership Fellow and Director and former Texas A&M University student body president.
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ALEC students Brittley Bowers, Dylan Sione and Audrey De La Zerda were among the students who received scholarships due to their desire to pursue meat industry careers.
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| Dr. Chris and Dr. Joe Townsend '67 Chair in Leadership Education and Student Excellence |
Nancy and Leroy Shafer ’67, gave the initial gift of $100,000 to fund the chair, launching a giving campaign to reach the $2 million goal needed to fully fund and support programs and outreach for current and future leadership students.
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Texas A&M University | September 13, 2023
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FFA Leadership Development Event Practice Contests
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Texas A&M-RELLIS | October 20, 2023
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Virtual | November 8, 2023
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Giving to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
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The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications was officially founded in September 2006. However, roots of our department date back to over 100 years ago. We have grown and evolved to become one of the leading departments in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. Today, more than ever, we are purpose-driven to do our part to improve the lives of youth, families and adults through leadership, educational and communication programming.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and friends. Discover how you can help advance excellence at Texas A&M University and make a difference in the lives of our students and faculty.
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About the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
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We improve the quality of life and well-being of individuals and communities through high-quality teaching, research, extension and outreach programs that communicate crucial information for agricultural sciences and human performance.
We advance scholarship in our field of study through innovative approaches to teaching, research and outreach. We provide balanced academic curricula that link science, technology, leadership, education, communications and human performance systems. We are recognized as one of the premier programs of agricultural leadership, education and communications worldwide and forge interdependent relationships with other world-class programs that share complementary missions. We assist those programs aspiring to serve their countries and the world better.
aglifesciences.tamu.edu | alec.tamu.edu
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