We are One Team. We Develop People. We Build Relationships. We Collaborate Enthusiastically. We Lead with Integrity. We Achieve the Extraordinary.

The faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication work diligently each day to embody the core values of AEC. Every week, we come together for AEC Gatherings, where we explore new topics, connect with one another, and recognize individuals nominated for AttaGators. These awards celebrate those who exemplify our departmental values, as nominated by their peers.

Below are the AEC AttaGators for the month of October:

We are One Team.

Becky Raulerson, Peggy Lowenstein, Jovan Murray, Matt Sowcik, Sadie Hundemer

“Becky Raulerson, thank you for being an outstanding supervisor who has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with compassion. Your daily check-ins and unwavering offers of assistance have allowed me to focus on what matters most—my family—while still feeling supported in my professional role. Your leadership truly reflects our commitment to putting people first.

Peggy Lowenstein and Jovan Murray, I am incredibly grateful for your friendship and continuous concern. Your continuous check-ins during and after the hurricanes on my well-being and offering help has shown me how much we truly value each other in this department, both personally and professionally.

A special recognition goes to Dr. Matt Sowcik and Dr. Sadie Hundemer, not only as colleagues but also as my instructors. Your extraordinary grace with my schoolwork and the kindness you’ve extended to me have been nothing short of amazing. The understanding and empathy you extend to all your students, especially those impacted by the hurricanes, exemplifies what it means to be compassionate, exemplary online instructors and highlights the best of a team that prioritizes relationships and fosters a culture of support.

Thank you all for embodying what it means to be #OneTeam.” – Nominator

AEC3030 & AEC 3033 TAs

Dr. Young recently faced a situation that required her to leave Florida for a time. As she navigated the challenge of managing grading, teaching, and running labs remotely, Dr. Young felt uncertain about how everything would come together. When she reached out to Dr. Myers to explain, her first instinct was to say, “I’ve got this,” but instead, she found herself admitting, “I don’t know.” That was the moment when the true strength of her team became clear.

Dr. Young is deeply grateful to Hunter, Suzanna, and Kyleigh for stepping in to cover her lectures and labs during her absence. She also appreciates her veteran 3033 TAs, who were quick to jump in and address questions on Teams before she even had the chance. Dr. Young explained that it is moments like these that remind her how lucky she is to be part of such a supportive and dedicated team.

 

 

We Collaborate Enthusiastically.

Arati Joshi

“Arati had a big win recently! She was a co-author with Drs. Kathy Colverson, Steven Franzel, and Fallon Riano on a book chapter titled “Addressing Gender Inequities in Accessing Extension and Advisory Services” that was recently published in the book about women and smallholder farming. She is also the AIAEE student representative, and has been working behind the scenes to build relationships with students across our discipline. She is incredibly skilled, talented, and humble – and sets a great example for other graduate students about what can be accomplished when we do show up excited to learn and collaborate enthusiastically.” – Nominator

Shane White & Maggie Murphy

“Thank you to Shane and Maggie for their creativity, open-mindedness, hard work, and willingness to explore the Nebraska Sandhills in the name of Nematodes, evolution, and climate change. They worked tirelessly from sun up to sundown to capture photos and video of UF and UNL scientists, graduate students, and ranchers collaborating to find out more about microscopic worms that might just tell us more about our changing landscapes. I appreciate their expertise, positive attitudes, and willingness to collaborate, and learn as part of a National Science Foundation grant focused on examining the ecology of nematodes and how we can impact others’ understanding of the environment around us! Shane and Maggie’s contributions will truly make this project the best it can be. They’re a great example of AEC teamwork and collaboration!” – Nominator

 

 

We Develop People.

Matt Sowcik, Heather Young, JC Bunch, Christy Chiarelli, Matt Benge, Natalie Coers, Laura Warner, Becky Raulerson, & John Diaz

“Each year in AEC 6543 I reach out to AEC faculty to come speak with my class about their education and/or extension programs as a way to show application of theory. This list of faculty are the ones who volunteered this semester. I am grateful that som many of our faculty are willing to give up their time to help our students.” – Grady Roberts

We Build Relationships.

Becky Cook & Annabel Henson

“Becky and Annabel put together the inaugural AEC tailgate this past weekend. It was well-attended and a lot of fun. They worked hard for weeks to make sure every detail was ready. I hope this will be a fun new annual tradition for our department, our students, and alumni.” – Lisa Lundy

Carrie Baker, Maddi Dyment, Cassie Goff

“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Charlie was born September 22, and without our village the last month plus would have been beyond challenging. Cassie, Carrie, and Maddi have cooked, cleaned, soothed, and just been around to help any time we have asked. Mairin and I are so appreciative of the support from the entire department but these three have gone above and beyond. Thank you!” – Jason Dorsett

 

 

We Lead with Integrity.

Caitlin Lunzmann

“I am thrilled to nominate Caitlin for her amazing leadership as AECGSA president. Caitlin hit the ground running well before the fall semester started to make sure the organization was ready to create a welcoming community of graduate students for the year. Caitlin took on an important task of leading the updates to the AECGSA constitution to make sure we are in full compliance. Thank you Caitlin for your leadership and all you do for grad students in AEC!” – Laura Warner

Matt Sowcik

“Dr S. leads his students with the humility and grace that he teaches so strongly in his leadership classes. He is kind and understanding but expects students to communicate their challenges and work with integrity through the semester.” – Nominator

 

 

We Achieve the Extraordinary.

Chiamaka Ndukwu

“Chiamaka recently traveled to Canada for the 2024 One Young World summit, as one of the four global youths selected for the Brighter Living Scholarship by DSM-firmenich & also selected as one of the seven African youths to participate in a mentoring session on the Future of Africa.”         – Nominator

Maddie Dvorak

“We’re finally able to share that Maddie is a New Real Pork Scholar through the National Pork Board! Maddie recently traveled to Denver for the Women in Agribusiness Summit as a sponsored student scholar by Moore & Van Allen PLLC. Great networking towards her MS Online project!”     – Nominator

 

Congratulations to each of our October AEC AttaGators!