Monthly Archives: September 2012

A Commitment to the Future: ALEC, RPTS & Texas 4-H Partner to Impact Youth Development Programs

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By: Mollie Lastovica Providing professionals in the youth development field with resources and training opportunities to engage in positive youth development, the Sequor Youth Development Initiative has made positive strides in securing a brighter future for the nation’s youth since 2009. Currently, three members of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications faculty serve on the executive committee for the Sequor YDI. Professor Tim Murphey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor John Rayfield, Ed.D., and Assistant Professor Lori Moore, Ph.D., represent the department on the committee comprised of delegates from… Read More →

STOU Representatives Visit Campus, Ignite Collaboration Potential

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By: Mollie Lastovica Presented with a unique opportunity to collaborate with the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Thailand, administrators and faculty in the ALEC Department visited with STOU Dean Achara Chittaladakorn, and former dean, Sunane Seesang, Ph.D., September 11-12 to discuss potential partnering opportunities. “STOU is looking to our department for collaboration and ultimately would like to enhance their program by working with us,” Assistant Professor Theresa Murphrey says. “This is a tremendous opportunity.” Murphrey assisted in coordinating the visit with STOU administrators and worked directly with Chittaladakorn… Read More →

Experience the Learning

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Graduate students learn through hands on experience By: Taylor Demski Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory defines experiential learning as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience.” One ALEC professor puts the theory into practice by providing experiences for his students that are innovative, engaging and certainly out-of-the-ordinary. ALEC 603, Experiential Learning, is available for graduate students to enroll in every year during the maymester. Taught by Assistant Professor John Rayfield, Ed.D., the course features a… Read More →

ALEC faculty and students help prepare 4-H students for advocacy

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  By: Taylor Demski 26 students from across the state attended the 2012 Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador program July 16 through July 19 at Texas A&M University. Organized by Assistant Professor and Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist Billy Zanolini, Ph.D., the program allowed high school students the chance to engage in high level learning designed to develop advanced leadership skills related to mentoring youth and advocating for animal agriculture. ALEC faculty, graduate and undergraduate students participated by teaching sessions focused on learning and leadership styles, as well… Read More →

Bringing Calm Amidst the Storm: AgNR Strike Teams Serve Livestock Producers Across Texas

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By: Mollie Lastovica When disaster strikes, we can always count on first responders like firemen, police officers and other public service workers to be on the scene, ready to assist in a heartbeat. But what about those whose task revolves around livestock protection and rescue? Enter the Agriculture and Natural Resources Strike Teams, a division of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The strike team members completed a routine briefings and refresher course, conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, on August 28. Stationed in seven of… Read More →

ALEC student helps coordinate Ag Open House, student leaders interact

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Ag Open House Serves as Hub for Organizations and Student Leaders By: Mollie Lastovica Student leaders within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences gathered in Rudder Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, September 7, for the purpose of promoting student organizations. Hosted by the Freshman Leadership Experience, Ag Open House cumulated more than 20 student organizations and a number of students eager to learn about the opportunities to get involved within the college. Sophomore agricultural leadership and development student Bobbi Frieda coordinated the second annual event as part of… Read More →

AGSC 380 students attend VATAT conference

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Aspiring ag teachers attend conference in Amarillo By: Taylor Demski ALEC students and faculty networked and learned with other agricultural educators in Texas at the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas conference in Amarillo July 30th through August 3rd. The VATAT conference enables agricultural science teachers to keep up their continuing education units and engage in professional development, featuring workshops offered over the course of a couple of days that highlight important updates on everything from curriculum to teacher’s rights, responsibilities and liabilities. Allowing agriculture science majors enrolled in… Read More →

Student Leaders Unite at MSC Fall Leadership Conference

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By: Mollie Lastovica The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications had strong representation at the 60th Annual MSC Fall Leadership Conference, held August 21-23 at Camp Allen in Navasota. Agricultural communications and journalism senior Travis Burks served on the executive team for FLC as the Director of Delegates and Associate Professor Barry Boyd, Ph.D., attended as a Focus Group Leader for the conference goers. Agricultural communications and journalism students Kalee Bumguardener and Mollie Lastovica and ALEC graduate student Kevin Andrews attended the conference as student leaders representing… Read More →