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Department Named ‘Distinguished,’ Ranked Second in Nation
Oct. 28, 2009
Writer: Bill Gibbs, billgibbs@tamu.edu, 979-777-0171
COLLEGE STATION-- The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications at Texas A&M University, has been named a “distinguished program” and ranked second in the nation among 82 universities offering similar degrees. The department is part of A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
According to Robert Birkenholz and Jon Simonsen, authors of a study entitled “Characteristics of Distinguished Programs of Agricultural Education,” 10 agricultural education programs across the U.S. were “distinguished,” and the Texas A&M department was ranked second among those programs. Their study was published in American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference Proceedings (May, 2009).
The agricultural education program at the University of Florida was ranked first, followed by Texas A&M. Completing the top 10 in order were The Ohio State University, the University of Missouri, Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University, The Pennsylvania State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Arizona.
Birkenholz, who is a professor at Ohio State, and Simonsen, a graduate student working with Birkenholz, surveyed 82 agricultural education programs across the country. Administrators from each of these institutions were asked to rank the programs they held in “highest professional regard.” According to the authors, “Respondents were also asked to identify characteristics or features that distinguished each program they identified. “
University survey respondents consistently named 10 programs, including Texas A&M’s, as the “most distinguished.” Characteristics identified in these distinguished programs included exemplary graduate programs, faculty, research, leadership programs, an international emphasis, and offering a wide range of programs. Texas A&M was particularly recognized for its scope of research, leadership programs and faculty.
“Being nationally ranked is quite an honor and reflects the long-term commitment of the faculty and staff to work hard for the right reasons, our students,” said Jack Elliot, Ph.D., department head. “The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications faculty have worked diligently the past 10 years to modernize our curriculum, enhance our research capabilities, and increase the quality of our graduate students."
About the Department:
The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications has an enrollment of 900 undergraduates and 160 graduate students. It offers four bachelor’s degrees, three master’s degrees, and two doctoral degrees. The department also has 33 faculty members focused in five areas: planning and needs assessment, learner-centered instructional design, delivery strategies, evaluation and accountability, and research and measurement tools. Departmental emphases includes Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Journalism; eLearning and Professional Development; Extension Education, Organizational and Community Leadership; Teacher Education; and International Agricultural Education. Jack Elliot, Ph.D., is professor and head of the department.
About the college:
With an enrollment of almost 6,500 students in 14 academic departments, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and has a faculty of over 300 members, including a Nobel laureate and a Pulitzer Prize winner. Research programs include food sustainability and safety, human and animal health, genetics, renewable natural resources and bioenergy. Mark Hussey is Vice Chancellor and Dean.
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