Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Brytany Gama is a senior Agricultural Education-Leadership major. During her time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she helped establish the UNL Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) to create a space that promotes diversity and inclusion for underrepresented students on campus. She has also served as a National Ambassador for MANRRS.
Nathan Conner, associate professor in agricultural leadership, education and communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has been selected for a Fulbright Fellowship.
Conner will be teaching and conducting research at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, from August through June 2024.
Led by Mary Emery, Rural Prosperity Nebraska will work with 33 partners to create a resource hub for regional food systems that serves residents of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The center is one of 12 that the USDA is establishing across the country with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Nebraska Today | May 25, 2023
Mary Emery, director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, recently talked with RFD-TV about a University of Nebraska–Lincoln led program that will establish 12 Regional Food Business Centers to help strengthen local food supply chains. Nebraska Today | May 17, 2023
Brytany Gama Romo, a senior agricultural education leadership (ALEC) major from Omaha, was honored as a Student Luminary for her resiliency and leadership as a New Student Enrollment Orientation Leader Spanish Language Specialist and National Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) ambassador.
Students that compete in the Western Nebraska Youth Institute competition research about living conditions and food insecurity in different countries. The students submit their solutions to food insecurity in the different countries and present those solutions to a panel of food insecurity global experts.
The UNL Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Department and the Nebraska Department of Education host the Western Nebraska Youth Institute. The students researched living conditions and food insecurity in various countries and then proposed a solution to a food insecurity issue in that country. They will present their solutions to global experts who know about food insecurity or production issues around the world.
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
“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
“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.”
“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
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
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.
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
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.
