Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) includes a student-centered faculty and staff offering undergraduate degrees leading to professional careers. Using a blend of asynchronous and synchronous courses, our programs offer a unique combination of practical, hands-on experiences and critical people skills required for success in today’s fast-paced careers. Upon graduation, our students are uniquely equipped for leadership, education, communications, and training roles in the broad field of agricultural sciences and human performance in both domestic and international settings.

We offer three Bachelor of Science degrees: Agricultural Communications and Journalism, Agricultural Leadership and Development, and Agricultural Science; and five minors: Agricultural Communications and Journalism, Extension Education, International Agricultural Development, Leadership, and Youth Development.

Degree Programs

Agricultural Communications and Journalism (AGCJ)

This program prepares the student to work in news, magazine, broadcast, public relations, advertising, multimedia, digital cable, or satellite communications. Students in this program will complete courses in writing, editing, and basic digital design. Professional skills courses include publications production, public relations, photography, broadcasting, and electronic communications.

Agricultural Leadership and Development (ALED)

This program prepares the student to work with people involved in agriculture and life sciences and other related fields. Students in this program will complete courses in personal and organizational leadership, ethics, and leading change. Specialized courses include courses such as team leadership, leading volunteers, cultural pluralism, and agricultural extension related courses.

Agricultural Science (AGSC)

This program prepares the student for a degree and as well as teacher certification in Secondary Agricultural Science. Students in this program will study educational technologies, instructional design and program planning in agricultural science. The program is aimed at creating high quality high school agricultural science teachers. However, other careers can often benefit from this training in agriculture and education.

For more information about each of our programs, visit the specific majors tab or visit our department website.


Degree Minors

We offer five minors, in specific areas, that provide our students with foundational knowledge and concepts required for success in future careers such as communication specialists, Extension educators, developers of youth programs, and students seeking positions as leaders in domestic or international settings.  

  • Agricultural Communications and Journalism (AGCJ)
  • Extension Education (EXED)
  • International Agricultural Development (IDAG)
  • Leadership (LDAG)
  • Youth Development (YDEV)

For more information on each minor, select the link below or visit our department website.

Baker, Mathew, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Ohio State University, 1990

Boyd, Barry L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1991

Briers, Gary E, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Iowa State University, 1978

Dooley, Kim E, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1995

Dunn, Allison L, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2018

Elbert, Chanda D, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The Pennsylvania State University, 2000

Elliot, John F, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Ohio State University, 1988

Ellis, Gary, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, North Texas State University, 1983

Ettekal, Andrea, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Arizona State University, 2014

Felton Odom, Summer R, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011

Hancock, Jay P, Visiting Lecturer
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
MS, Texas A&M University, 1984

Harlin, Julie F, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Oklahoma State University, 1999

Herbert, Bruce, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of California at Riverside, 1992

Hewitt, Mallory, Visiting Lecturer
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
MS, Texas A&M University, 2023

Keszei, David, Professor of Practice
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Pepperdine University, 2021

Leggette, Holli, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013

Locke, Darlene, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
EDD, Texas A&M University, 2004

Lockett, Landry L, Senior Lecturer
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
EDD, Texas A&M University, 2007

Lund, Randy, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M Univeristy, 2022

McGrath, Paul A, Visiting Lecturer
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
MA, Marist College, 2012

Moore, Lori L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of Florida, 2003

Murphrey, Theresa P, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1997

Murphy, Timothy H, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1995

Nelson, Chad, Instructional Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Opat, Kelsi, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas Tech University, 2020
LLM, Friends University, 2015

Preston, Tammie M, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014

Quijada Landaverde, Rafael, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The Ohio State University, 2022

Redwine, Tobin D, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014

Saunders, Clint, Professor of Practice
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
MS, Texas Tech University, 2002

Strong Jr, Robert L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of Florida, 2010

Strong, Jennifer R, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Oklahoma State University, 2007

Wald, Dara, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The University of Florida, 2012

Wang, Jun, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Colorado State University, 2013

Wingenbach, Gary J, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Iowa State University, 1995

Xu, Zhihong, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2020