Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications | Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Where your major makes an impact: Equipping the next generation of educators, leaders, and communicators through agriculture.

Our faculty are highly rated for their teaching, research, and outreach programs in teacher education, Extension education, leadership development, internationalization of curriculum and agriculture, distance education, and organizational and community change.

African American male student smiles and leans on a camera mounted on a tripod with the Tennessee hills in the background

Academics

Our department offers bachelor's and master's degrees leading to exciting careers in the field of communications, education, or leadership.

Father and son working on computers at kitchen table

Online Degree Programs

Our online bachelor's and master's degree programs gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace in your own space.

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff are dedicated to developing leaders in our field and advancing research. Learn more about who they are.

Courses

Learn about the course offerings in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.

Three fisherman in a canoe casting a hand net

International Programs

The Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture advances the international engagement of the UT Institute of Agriculture.

ALEC Lab

Explore projects and find resources in our research lab.

The ALEC Department is searching to fill the position of Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education.

Apply Here

Opportunities and Internships

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) is pleased to announce the creation of a research assistantship for an undergraduate student in the department. This student will work primarily with Dr. Shelli Rampold on research projects pertaining to current and emerging issues in agriculture and natural resources, consumer knowledge and awareness of agriculture, and communicating agricultural science.

To be eligible for this assistantship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Pell Grant eligible OR First Generation
Undergraduate student
Have not previously received funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
Not planning to graduate before December 2022.

Other key information about the assistantship position:

Eligible undergraduates will work as employees on a faculty research project, earning ca. $1,500.00 over the course of the spring semester and gaining hands-on work experience in the research process
Student employees will present some aspect of the research project at either the August 2022 Discovery Day poster event or the Spring 2023 EURēCA Poster Competition
Student employees will have access to digital on-boarding materials in January to prepare for their spring research employment

To apply, please complete and return the application to ALEC@utk.edu November 24, 2021.

Link to Application

The UTIA Marketing and Communications department is interested in hosting internships for ALEC students interested in magazine or general journalism. They are in particular need of help with writing, editing, and research for UTIA’s flagship magazine, Land, Life & Science.

These internships are unpaid, but offer a tailored experience to fit your specific needs and interests, and give you a wonderful opportunity to grow. You may also be able to use this opportunity as internship credit for ALEC 492. If you are interested in an internship with Marketing and Communications please email ALEC@utk.edu.

Tennessee Farm Bureau offers several summer internships in Public Policy, Communications, Ag in the Classroom, and Special Programs.

This is a twelve-week position for the summer established by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. The intern will be paid $4,000.00 for the 12 weeks of work, plus travel expenses incurred when traveling for TFBF. The candidate selected will be working from the office of Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation in Columbia, Tennessee. Some long hours, evening and weekend work will be required during special events and activities.

Public Policy applications due October 15, 2020. Other applications due January 29, 2021. For details and to apply visit https://tnfarmbureau.org/internship-program.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

VIEW MORE NEWS