Undergraduate’s passion for agriculture and communications finds a home in the Herbert College of Agriculture
Where are you from, and why did you decide to attend the UT Herbert College of Agriculture?
I am from Jonesborough, TN. From the moment I stepped foot on campus during my first year of high school, I knew that UT Herbert College of Agriculture was where I belonged. I was also very involved with FFA in high school, so we visited campus many times throughout my four years there. I heard about all the fantastic programs they offered and met incredible people, and I was hooked.
What is your major and why?
My major is Agriculture Communications. I found my passion for agriculture communications through FFA in high school. I loved running our chapter’s social media, creating our chapter’s monthly newsletter, and planning events. I discovered new interests within my major through my assistantship in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. I work for Dr. Shelli Rampold. This has allowed me to gain experience managing our department’s social media and be involved in research studying how to remove barriers for unrepresented groups in production agriculture.
What has been your favorite class, and who is your favorite professor?
My favorite class, hands down, is ALEC 150, The Land Grants’ Agricultural Legacy, with Dr. Molly West. Dr. West is an amazing professor and makes the class engaging and fun. I think every student in the Herbert College of Agriculture should have to take this class since UT is a land-grant university.
What has been your most memorable experience at Herbert so far?
Living in the Herbert Life LLC (Living and Learning Community), my first year at UTK was definitely memorable! Living on a floor with other Herbert students helped me find a community here since we had so many opportunities to connect and create relationships with students we would know for the next four years.
How has your experience in the Herbert College of Agriculture prepared you to enter the field?
Being a student at the Herbert College of Agriculture has opened many doors for me outside the classroom to prepare me for my future career. For example, working alongside Dr. Rampold has given me many skills to conduct research. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a member of the National Agriculture Marketing Association (NAMA) team at UTK, practicing my graphic design skills.
What advice would you give to a prospective Herbert student?
Get involved! It is super helpful to explore everything Herbert has to offer and get involved in any clubs or undergraduate assistantships you can! These will prepare you for your future career and help make Herbert feel like home.
What is one thing you’re excited about for the upcoming/current school year?
I am very excited to continue assisting in research with Dr. Rampold. This year, I will have the opportunity to create and present research posters in the Fall semester and write, develop, and publish a research paper during the Spring semester.
What do you like to do outside of school, and what is a fun fact about yourself that your fellow students and professors may not know?
If I am not on campus, I am most likely working on schoolwork at a local coffee shop and drinking my favorite coffee, an iced mocha latte! Besides that, I enjoy spending time with friends and family or watching Gilmore Girls.
