UNL Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department

☀️ ALEC Student Summer Spotlight ☀️

Elizabeth Hodges, ALEC Agricultural and Environmental Sciences student from Julian, NE, spent her summer serving as a staff writer for Farm Progress Daily Progress, covering the Dakotas, Nebraska, and into Kansas. She interviewed producers and wrote articles about their operations and the technology they are using. She also attended and reported field days and conferences throughout the summer.

Elizabeth shares: "In this role, I have learned a lot about different ag topics. That is what I love the most about this position because one day I might be writing about cover crops and the next day I will be writing about another topic like swine. I also was able to attend the Ag Media Summit where I was able to meet other ag journalists and learn best practices of journalism. "

☀️ ALEC Student Spotlight ☀️

Lexi Bodlak, ALEC Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Communication student from Pender, NE, Joined the Gender and Youth Equity team at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture as a Borlaug-Ruan Intern through the World Food Prize Foundation. Her work included publishing articles related to women's rights, assisting with the development of e-learning courses on climate-smart agriculture and entrepreneurship for women, and analyzing the correlation between the uneven distribution of care responsibilities and a growing gender nutrition gap in Latin America.

Lexi shared that she loves learning Spanish and appreciates the value that internships abroad bring to both personal and professional development!

🎉✨ Celebrating Dr. Gina Matkin’s Retirement! ✨🎉

After 35 years with the University, Dr. Gina Matkin is retiring! Her dedication to teaching, research, and mentoring has profoundly impacted countless lives. Colleagues, family, and friends gathered on East Campus to celebrate the end of this chapter and the beginning of a new one.

Thank you, Dr. Matkin, for your inspiring contributions and lasting legacy. Wishing you all the best in this new chapter!🌟

The ALEC Department and Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) met recently to sign the 2+2 agreement that creates a pathway for students to obtain an associate degree at WNCC before transferring to UNL to study Agricultural Education or Skilled & Technical Sciences Education!

Dr. Mark Balshweid, ALEC Department Head shares: “We realize there are a lot of students from this part of the state who enjoy living here and want to stay here. And we also know that there's a shortage of teachers in high schools filling critical roles that contribute to workforce development like manufacturing and agricultural.”

UNL and WNCC partner in higher education for Panhandle youth | Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center To meet the needs of the community and students of western Nebraska, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) signed a 2+2 agreement, which will aid students in obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Education and Skilled and Technical Science Educ...

☀️ ALEC Student Summer Spotlight ☀️

Emily Eilers, ALEC Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Communication from Wayne, NE, spent her summer interning with Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications! She wrote articles, managed the 'X' social media channel, and organized the IANR News Now newsletters. Her highlight of the summer was leading the Nebraska Beef Innovators project, which included 10 interviews with students doing beef research.

Emily shares: "During the Nebraska Beef Innovators project, I learned a lot about the intricacies of Nebraska's beef industry. I am passionate about ag advocacy, and this project was an opportunity for me to advocate for the beef industry."

ALEC Classes are off to a great start this Fall! Dr. Kreifels, Dr. Haddad, and Mr. Phoenix were geared up and ready to go for the first session of ALEC 135: Intro to Ag Ed today!

☀️ ALEC Student Summer Spotlight ☀️

Alexa Tollman, ALEC Agricultural Education student from Crawford, NE, spent her summer hosting FFA Chapter Officer Leadership training alongside the rest of the Nebraska FFA State Officer team! She also advocated for FFA and agriculture at the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute in Lincoln and the FFA State Officer Summit in Washington D.C.

Alexa shares: "I have learned so much about agriculture across the nation by interacting with other state officers from other states. While doing this, I learned how lucky I am to live in Nebraska and to have grown up in agriculture. I am truly blessed to be where I am today. "

☀️ ALEC Student Summer Spotlight ☀️

Ella Hochstein, ALEC Agricultural Education student from Seward, NE, spent two weeks abroad this summer in Spain and France! After returning stateside, she worked for the Saline County Nebraska Extension office as their intern for the season.

Ella shares: "I learned I am capable of accomplishing a lot within my chosen career field. I have to ability to make a difference in kids' lives no matter their age. I have grown more confident in myself and learning new skills."

ALEC Faculty, Dr. Gina Matkin, has announced her retirement after over 30 years with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. Mark Balschweid, ALEC Department Head shares: “Dr. Gina Matkin is the epitome of ALEC’s core values of treating everyone with the highest level of dignity, conducting her work with excellence, and being ridiculously collaborative. She’s been the model of a servant leader for our students, our department, and for the entire state of Nebraska. She will be sorely missed by everyone – but with hearty congratulations on a career in service to others.”

Matkin’s retirement celebration will be Thursday, Aug. 29. from 3 to 5 p.m. in the East Campus Union Arbor Suite. The program will start at 4 p.m.

Congratulations, Dr. Matkin! 🎉🎊

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ALEC department announces retirement of Gina Matkin Lincoln, Neb.

Happy first day of class, ALEC Students!! 🎉🎉

It's officially the start of the fall semester! 🎉📚
We are wishing you an amazing year of learning, friendship, and growth.

ALEC Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Communications students Alex Coffelt and Emma Saathoff recently had an article they worked on featured in IANR Media! Alex and Emma interviewed sources and worked together to tell an amazing story on an important and unique topic.

It's awesome to see the skills and techniques developed in the classroom used in real-world applications and we are proud to see our student's work be highlighted!



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Project aims to improve water quality of Lincoln ponds | Nebraska Today A University of Nebraska–Lincoln team is leveraging the power of plants to combat nutrient pollution in urban ponds.

✨ Meet Dr. Troy White, an Assistant Professor of Practice in the ALEC Department! Dr. White specializes in teacher support for agriculture and skilled and technical science teachers. ✨

Meet Troy White, an Assistant Professor of Practice in the UNL Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department specializing in teacher support for agriculture and skilled and technical science teachers.

"Providing workshops across the state has been very gratifying, and the teachers have been very appreciative of our efforts to help them," White said.

Read more ›› https://ianrnews.unl.edu/faculty-spotlight-troy-white

Madison Stracke, an ALEC student studying Agricultural Education, is a recipient of the 2024 NAAE Upper Division Scholarship for Region III!

🎉 Congratulations, Madison! 🎉

🌟 Let's give a big congratulations to PhD student Brooke Wells for successfully defending her thesis titled "Psychosocial Well-being Facilitation of Leader Identity Transitions for Retirees" 🌟

Brooke's advisor is ALEC Faculty member L.J McElravy.

Congratulations, Brooke! 🎉🎈

ALEC Faculty Dr. Matt Kreifels was awarded the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute's Award of Merit, the highest honor from the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC)!

NAYC Advisor Christin Kamm shares “Throughout his career, Matt Kreifels has mentored, encouraged, and inspired people to teach and be a part of the ag industry. This Award of Merit is a token of our appreciation to Matt for his constant support of agriculture, education, and the next generation of ag leaders.”

Congratulations, Dr. Kreifels! ⭐️🎉

Matt Kreifels, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and long-time ag educator, was recently selected by the members of the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC) to receive the Council’s highest honor. Kreifels received the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s (NAYI) Award of Merit during a special awards luncheon at UNL’s East Campus Union in Lincoln. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) oversees NAYC and NAYI.

“Teaching agriculture is one of the best ways to make a positive impact on current and future ag educators,” said NAYC Advisor Christin Kamm. “Throughout his career, Matt Kreifels has mentored, encouraged, and inspired people to teach and be a part of the ag industry. This Award of Merit is a token of our appreciation to Matt for his constant support of agriculture, education, and the next generation of ag leaders.”

Kreifels earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences from UNL, his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Wayne State College, and his doctorate’s degree in human sciences/leadership studies from UNL. From 2010-2018, he served in a dual appointment between UNL and the Nebraska Department of Education as the State Director of Agricultural Education. Before coming to UNL in 2010, Kreifels taught agricultural education courses and served as the FFA advisor for nine years at Blair High School.

Through his role at UNL, Kreifels leads the agricultural education teacher preparation program, coordinates professional development for current Nebraska agricultural education teachers, manages the Nebraska Beginning Teacher program, and coordinates the Nebraska Career Development Events.

“Matt is dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate about agriculture and makes a difference every day in the lives of ag educators across the state and country,” said Kamm. “We want to congratulate Matt on receiving this award and thank him for his dedication to the youth of Nebraska and for all he does for the ag industry.”

Scholarships Awarded to Youth
Scholarships in the amount of $500 each were awarded to two recent graduates who participated in NAYI this year as returning delegates. Returning delegates have additional responsibilities during NAYI designed to enhance leadership abilities and organizational skills.

The two scholarship recipients are Ceiden Childears of North Platte, and Levi Huffman of Maxwell. These two students are planning to attend the University of Nebraska this fall and be a part of CASNR.

NAYI is a week-long event for high school juniors and seniors interested in agriculture. NAYI includes motivational speakers, ag education, networking with peers and industry leaders, leadership experience and information on ag careers. In its 53rd year, NAYI is the longest running program of its kind in the nation.

NAYI is made possible through generous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups, and industry organizations. To learn more about NAYC or NAYI, visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/.

The ALEC Department is hanging out with the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) today! NAYI encourages high school juniors and seniors to learn more about career opportunities in agriculture. Dr. Laura Young offered a taste of communications studies through photography and Dr. Matt Kreifels helped connect the dots in Agricultural Education and its importance in the agricultural industry!

UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

The Pr***en Leadership Institute was on campus last week! This week-long summer program is for outstanding young leaders from Lincoln schools and is hosted by NHRI Leadership Mentoring. These young leaders learn about leadership strengths, difference makers, understanding others, empathy, and values awareness throughout the week. Plus lots of fun and games!!

***enLeadershipInstituteunl

Congratulations to the 29 Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication students named to the Spring 2024 Deans' List! These students all had a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. 🤩

6,600-plus Huskers named to spring Deans' List | Newsroom | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 4 days ago · 442 min read 6,600-plus Huskers named to spring Deans’ List by Sean Hagewood | University Communication and Marketing Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing Students sit in a study area in Kiewit Hall on Jan. 22 — the first day of classes in the new engineering bu...

We are with the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy today! Dr. Laura Young shares what is happening with the Agricultural and Environmental Science Communication program. Students even had the chance to learn photography strategies and practice their photo-taking skills! 📸 🤳

Earlier this month, senior students from the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication program were invited to present their senior capstone work to the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) Senior Leadership Team.

Over the course of the spring semester, this Strategic Discussions for Nebraska (SDN) team created a communications campaign for IANR Communications titled Connected – IANR Links Communities Across Nebraska. Throughout this process, they first researched the client, identified priority audiences for the campaign, surveyed and interviewed those identified audiences, and created the goal/objectives/theme for the campaign.

Once the campaign was established, they wrote a total of 12 stories that included highlights of current CASNR students, UNL Judging teams, Nebraska Extension disaster response initiatives, CASNR alumni, ag education, and youth development programs such as FFA & 4H. Based on the stories, the team then created several deliverables for promotion including a print booklet with a QR code to link to the stories posted online, a podcast series about CASNR students, social media content covering both the writers and stories, a postcard to share at public events, and Exposure pages to visually highlight their work.

Stories will be available online in late June at sdn.unl.edu and the deliverables will be shared publicly over the coming months through SDN and IANR media channels.

We are so proud of this amazing group of students and wish them the best of luck!

ALEC Office Associate, Jennifer Greenlee, has been installed as the President of the University of Nebraska Office Professionals Association (UNOPA). UNOPA provides community and professional development opportunities for educational office professionals at the University of Nebraska. ALEC Staff believe in our mission of 'Developing Human Potential'!

Congratulations, Jennifer! 🎉🎈🙌

Congratulations to ALEC Faculty Dr. Becky Haddad for her recent recognition for "Distinguished Manuscript" by the American Association for Agricultural Education! Co-written with Dr. Rebecca Mott of the University of Missouri, this manuscript has also been accepted for publication in the Journal of Agricultural Education.

Congratst, Dr. Haddad!

ALEC Faculty, Dr. Lindsay Hastings, has been awarded the 'Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Award' from the UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources!

Dr. Gina Matkin, her nominator, shared that Dr. Hastings profound impact on her students sets her apart, fostering an environment where growth and development flourish. Her unwavering commitment, innovative approach, and genuine care for her students have transformed her classrooms into vibrant centers of learning and growth.

Congratulations, Dr. Hastings!! 🎉 🎊

In the midst of UNL Dead Week, our ALEC Teacher Prep Club met and created some AMAZING custom erasers for their future classrooms. Dr. Troy White and STS Student Carter Newth helped design, program, and operate the laser engraver. We even got an ALEC eraser made!

ALEC Teacher Preparation Club is a home to both STS Ed and Ag Ed majors and encourages community building and professional development opportunities.

Recent ALEC Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Communications grad, Karlie Gerlach, shares how her experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln CASNR were shaped by community, mentorship, and a strong foundation in agriculture.


Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Nebraska nurtures Gerlach and future rural leaders by Nebraska Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources on Exposure Coming from a small school in rural southwest Nebraska with just 17 classmates, Karlie Gerlach will be graduating with highest distinction with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication, along with minors in Agricultural Leadership and the Engler Agribusiness Ent...

🎓🌟 Today, we proudly celebrate the incredible achievements of our May ALEC grads! 🌟🎓 These storytellers, leaders, teachers, connectors, and advocates truly embody the ALEC vision of developing human potential. Good luck to our graduates - we are so proud!

Today we celebrated the ALEC May and August graduates with our ALEC Graduation Reception! This reception is a time for sharing memories, stories, and hopes for our graduates and celebrating all the amazing things they have done at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln! Congratulations, Graduates!! 🎉🎉

⭐️ On this National Teacher Appreciation Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our ALEC Faculty! Their dedication to developing human potential in the classroom each and every day is amazing. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of countless students! ⭐️

UNL's Center for Entrepreneurship recently hosted its 37th annual New Venture Competition. Madison Kreifels, a junior Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication ALEC major from Syracuse, earned fourth place and received $7,500 for her startup, InfoFilm! InfoFilm is an agricultural communications business with the vision to reverse the growing gap in knowledge between the agriculture industry and its consumers.

🎉 Congrats, Madison! 🎉

New Venture Competition awards $65,000 to Husker student startups Forty-eight teams representing nine colleges and 44 majors at the university participated in the 37th annual New Venture Competition, with Eduardo Sicilia Ayala (2%Football) taking first place and a $15,000 crash prize.

Jaya Nelson, a junior Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Communication ALEC student from Bassett, is competing in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rodeo Cornhusker College Rodeo this weekend! Her events include Breakaway (in which she is currently top-ranked by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association) and Team Roping. Good Luck, Jaya!! 🌟