Self-Study Report of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication

Authors

Date of this Version

January 2003

Comments

Prepared for Comprehensive Review, January 28–31, 2003

Abstract

Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (AgLEC) is a department in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The department was established as a result of a 1992 merger between the departments of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Communication. The mission of the department is to foster human capacity in leadership, education and communication through innovative teaching, research, and outreach. The AgLEC faculty reports to a department head, and are accountable to the respective deans of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), and the Cooperative Extension Division (CED), depending on their appointment.

Since the last review there has been significant development and refinement of undergraduate and graduate programs (documented in Sections 5 and 6). Some of this development and refinement was the result of the recommendations of the 1996 review team. Because of the dramatic impact the team had on the direction of the department, Sections 5 through 8 begin with a brief discussion linking the 1996 review team recommendations and actions by AgLEC faculty.

Since the last review, AgLEC faculty have been engaged in significant curriculum and project development, revision and delivery, with the intention of serving the human resource and educational needs of rural and urban stakeholders in education, business, government and industry. Departmental goals have been developed that complement the IANR Strategic Plan and capitalize on the talents of the faculty and the needs of our stakeholder groups. In general, goals have been set and achieved in the following general areas:
· the expansion and revision of undergraduate courses and programs,
· the enhancement of graduate education through course revisions and program development,
· the development of significant collaborative relationships in and outside of the university,
· a broadened delivery of credit and non-credit education through use of distance technology,
· the development and deployment of a departmental marketing plan, and
· the integration of departmental teaching, outreach and service activities.