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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

Inspire and empower others to engage with agriculture and the environment.

Updated October 2022

Maple trees with red leaves flank the U.S. Capitol building
Allison Fortner displays the screen of an iPhone. The screen features the @ugacaesresearch Instagram feed.

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC)  is an award-winning group of researchers, teachers, Extension specialists and students committed to communicating the critical fields of agricultural and environmental science.

ALEC contributes to Georgia’s land-grant mission of improving lives and organizations through strategic education and communication on agricultural, environmental and sustainability topics.

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
Three researchers standing in a field operating a drone.
A professor talking to two students who are sitting at a desk using laptops.
Six people, each sitting on a camel, all in a row in front of a large brown sand dune. The sky behind them is cloudless and bright blue.
Two hands pointing at soil, from which a large clump of green lettuce is growing.
Three researchers standing in a field operating a drone.
Six people, each sitting on a camel, all in a row in front of a large brown sand dune. The sky behind them is cloudless and bright blue.
Two hands pointing at soil, from which a large clump of green lettuce is growing.

Advocates for Agriculture

ALEC students are advocates for the health and well-being of our planet’s food, fiber and natural resources.

Through small classes and personalized learning experiences, students hone their science communication skills and gain experience in cutting-edge science and strategic communications, educational strategies and leadership frameworks.

Students can participate in multidisciplinary collaborations along with outreach throughout the state, study abroad programs to Morocco, Scotland, and Europe, student clubs and other exciting opportunities to gain experience outside the classroom.

A student presents her research

Kennedy Mayfield-Smith, a master's student of agricultural and environmental education, presents her research on user fees to manage greenhouses and growth chambers at public and land grant universities at the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists conference.

Kennedy Mayfield-Smith, a master's student of agricultural and environmental education, presents her research on user fees to manage greenhouses and growth chambers at public and land grant universities at the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists conference.

ALEC students are immersed in a comparative analysis of the cultural and industry trends shaping agriculture, community and organizational development.

A smiling Black man with a beard.
“Growing up as a Georgia 4-H member, I had the privilege to grow and learn about UGA with the guidance of my Extension agents (Marie Trice and Leonard Anderson). These individuals alongside other great mentors encouraged me to become an agriculturist. I am grateful for my ALEC experience. This is a welcoming department. The transition from an 1890 to 1862 land-grant institution was easier than I thought it would be because of the support placed around me. I have been inspired by the faculty, staff and my peers to push myself, and to achieve my personal and professional goals. I am grateful to be a part of UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, but especially the ALEC family.” 
Aaron Golson, doctoral student and graduate assistant in Cooperative Extension program evaluation

Student Support

ALEC is committed to student support. We offer several awards, undergraduate scholarships and graduate-level assistantships. 

We are constantly growing our scholarship base to offer students even more financial support.

Student Success

ALEC students graduate as top competitors in their fields, ready to become leaders and improve our world.

The job outlook is bright for ALEC graduates, as the importance of communicating and educating society about agricultural and environmental sciences is growing increasingly important.

ALEC students become:

  • Elementary, middle and high school agricultural educators
  • Cooperative Extension agents, educators and administrators
  • Corporate trainers
  • Managers and sales professionals in agricultural businesses
  • Public relations specialists
  • Advertising and marketing professionals
  • Social media strategists
  • Writers and editors
  • Communications directors
  • Lobbyists and policy specialists
  • Researchers and data analysts
  • University faculty
Two white students smiling with Cafe Du Monde hats on. They are enjoying some beignets in New Orleans.

ALEC graduate students and faculty traveled to New Orleans in 2022 for the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists — and enjoyed some beignets along the way.

ALEC graduate students and faculty traveled to New Orleans in 2022 for the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists — and enjoyed some beignets along the way.

Four ALEC students (one white man, two white women, one Black man) in front of a step and repeat for the American Association of Agricultural Education.

ALEC students attended the American Association of Agricultural Education Conference.

ALEC students attended the American Association of Agricultural Education Conference.

Kristin Gibson wears gloves, a hat and sunglasses and holds the root ball of a tree on a sunny day.

Doctoral student Kristin Gibson plants a tree at a community garden in Taliaferro County, Georgia, as part of the UGA Extension Healthier Together program.

Doctoral student Kristin Gibson plants a tree at a community garden in Taliaferro County, Georgia, as part of the UGA Extension Healthier Together program.

A white woman with long blonde hair smiling at the camera
“I have received amazing support from ALEC faculty, who have provided student-centered professional development opportunities for me throughout the last three years. The flexibility of the ALEC doctoral program and mentor support has allowed me to explore my passion for research and create an individualized program of study best suited for my career goals. The interdisciplinary nature of the department and its collaborations across the university allows students to deeply explore their areas of interest from holistic perspectives.”
Catherine Sanders, doctoral student in science communication and Extension evaluation

Study Abroad

Learn more about ALEC's study abroad programs in Scotland and Morocco. Starting in 2023, ALEC students will have the opportunity to travel to Belgium, France, and the Netherlands to study flowers and photography.

Students carrying backpacks head into and from Conner Hall

Interested in becoming a CAES student?

Schedule a campus visit and learn more about the admissions process today.

CAES students work alongside world-class scientists to get hands-on experience in their field. Through scholarship opportunities, small class sizes and faculty support, CAES students are empowered to become the next generation of leaders.

Start your student career at CAES
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