ALEC in the News Archive

Rural Prosperity Nebraska Begins Institute of Excellence for Community Leaders

Lindsay Hastings facilitating a conversation at the Rural Prosperity Nebraska

The Rural Prosperity Nebraska has announced registration is open for the 2023 session of the Institute of Excellence.

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Monty Larsen, ALEC Lecturer, is in the Faculty Spotlight!

Monty Larsen
Meet Monty Larsen, a lecturer in the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

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ALEC Graduate Students are the winning team in the international competition with Rural Poll data

The winning team in the International Leadership Association’s annual Student Case competition consisted of (from left) Brooke Wells, Haden Botkin, Justine Yeo and Jennifer Okoliko.

In October, graduate students Haden Botkin, Jennifer Okoliko, Brooke Wells and Justine Yeo, all in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, competed in the International Leadership Association’s annual Student Case Competition, a first for University of Nebraska students. And they walked away with first place.  Nebraska Today | January 13, 2023

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Nebraska Rural Poll shows rural residents are concerned about drought

Platte River in 2022

“These trends in rural Nebraska are similar to what we’re seeing across the country,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor of strategic communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “Direct experiences with extreme weather tend to evoke more concern about climate change, but we’re also seeing more uncertainty in terms of how people think their communities will manage in the future.” The Grand Island Independent | December 18, 2022

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ALEC graduate ready to start new job supporting coop work in Ord, NE

ALEC Student, Gracie Stout

“With the help of advisers and university staff, I was able to find my place within (the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication),” Stout said. “It was a life-changing moment. This department has shaped me into the woman I am today.”

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Rural Nebraska voice water quality concerns in UNL Rural Poll

Water being tested

“A goal of the Nebraska Rural Poll is to give rural Nebraskans a voice on issues affecting their communities and the state, including their views and concerns related to natural resources,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at Nebraska. “The majority of rural Nebraskans are satisfied with their access to clean water but expressed concern about contaminants.” Journal Democrate | December 8, 2022

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McElravy and Nebraska Rural Poll Featured on RFD-TV

Dr. LJ McElravy

A survey of 1,105 rural Nebraska households revealed residents are generally pessimistic about the economy. The survey was given to provide a voice to rural Nebraska, focusing on the economy and employment within the state. Nebraska Today | November 10, 2022

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ALEC's Danie Brandl from Humphrey, Nebraska was named the 2022 recipient of the Lloyd Bell scholarship

Danie Brandl, ALEC Student

Lincoln, Neb. —The Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department announced the first inaugural recipient of the Lloyd Bell Scholarship for Teaching Excellence in Nebraska Agricultural Education. Agricultural Education student Danie Brandl from Humphrey, Nebraska was named the 2022 recipient of the scholarship.

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Applications for Rural Fellowship program now open

Rural Fellows Alicia Pannell (left), Tori Pedersen (second from left) and Janet Kabetesi (fifth from left) and community fellows Andrea McClintic (fourth from left) and Stephanie Novoa (right) are pictured with Lt. Gov. Mike Foley (third from left) at the Fox Theater ribbon cutting in Cozad.

For both students and communities, the application window opened Oct. 1. Applications can be found here. Webinars for community leaders interested in hosting student fellows will be held on Zoom at 10 a.m. Oct. 19 and 1 p.m. Oct. 21. Nebraska Today | October 4, 2022

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ALEC Associate Professor of Practice, Eric Knoll, innovations strengthen instruction and builds partnerships

Eric Knoll and students, Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Knoll heads ALEC’s Skilled and Technical Sciences (STS) teacher training program, and his innovations have strengthened instructional curricula and facilitated partnerships with industry, Nebraska community colleges and the state’s Department of Education.

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Agricultural education teachers participate in the Annual TAPS program

Courtesy of Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

In summer 2021, a group of agricultural education teachers decided to see how well the farm management concepts they were teaching in their classes translated to real life. Nebraska Today | 9/23/2022

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AESC Student, Karlie Gerlach, in the IANR Student Spotlight

Student Karlie Gerlach

Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

I decided to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln because of the agricultural opportunities it provides through CASNR and the small-town feel that East Campus holds.

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UNMC Students Participate in Rural Fellows Program

Eric Pulver leads a seminar on risk assessments for rural health initiatives at the Alliance Recreational Center.

Public health has long been a concern for rural America. In Nebraska, 34 counties have no hospitals within their borders, 14 of which don’t even have clinics. The 2019 floods and COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted where Nebraska struggles health-wise. However, this summer, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska­–Lincoln’s Rural Fellows program are teaming up to combat this issue.  

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IANR Student Spotlight: Taryn Miller, ALEC Major

Taryn Miller

Meet Taryn Miller, a sophomore agricultural education major (ALEC) from Amherst, Nebraska.

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IANR Student Spotlight: Meet Abigail Lutjelusche an agricultural education student from Columbus, Neb.

ALEC Student Abigail Lutjelusche

What about diversity and inclusion is important to you when you think about your CASNR experience?

"Diversity and inclusion are a huge part of education here in CASNR. When each of us goes off into our respective careers, we will be faced with unfamiliar situations and experiences. Preparing for that here puts us bounds ahead. On top of that, diversity and inclusion in CASNR allow me to be a better person and more appreciative of the entire world around me." Abigail Lutjelusche

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Tori Pedersen, senior ALEC major, wins the The Outstanding Builder Award

The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln recently recognized five students for their achievements. Those students are (from left) Tori Pedersen, Jordan Seitz, Erika Casarin, Sidney Therkelsen and Adam Folsom.

The Outstanding Coach Award honors student strengths coaches who exceed expectations in their work to advance strengths. The coaches mentor about 1,000 new students in Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths, a required course for all first-year business students. The two winners were Tori Pedersen, senior agricultural leadership education major from Omaha, and Jordan Seitz, senior supply chain management major from Gregory, Michigan.

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Rural Fellows experience begins for 26 students

Helen Fagan (right), Rural Fellows coordinator, meets with student fellows Brianna Gable (left), Benjamin Niyodusenga (fourth from left) and Lillian Uwanjye (second from right); Susan Norris (second from left), director of Pierce County Economic Development; and Wanda Backus (third from right), owner of J’s Place. (Russell Shaffer/Rural Prosperity Nebraska)

Twenty-six students begin their 10-week internships in 16 Nebraska communities on May 24. They are the newest cohort of Rural Fellows, an experiential learning program organized through the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Rural Prosperity Nebraska initiative.

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Meet ALEC Student, Madison Kreifels in the Student Spotlight

Madison Kreifels

Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

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Kreifels shares Nebraska U's plan to bolster ag education teacher retention

Matt Kreifels

Matt Kreifels, an associate professor of agricultural leadership, education and communications, appeared on RFD-TV on April 20 to talk about the university’s plans to bolster recruitment, support and retention of high school agriculture education instructors.

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New ALEC hires aim to boost Nebraska ag teacher preparation, support

(From left) Becky Haddad, Monty Larsen and Troy White

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication department on April 6 announced major steps to strengthen agricultural teacher training and support.

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