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Agriculture, Leadership, and Community Education
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The building is located on the corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive, the former site of a student parking lot. When it was opened in 1981, it was called the Animal Science Building. It was later named Litton-Reaves Hall.
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214, Mail Code:0343 Blacksburg VA 24061
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Department Head : Tracy Rutherford
Graduate Program Director : Kimberly Niewolny (Director of Graduate Programs)
Professors:
Loy Crowder;
Eric Kaufman;
Kimberly Niewolny;
Rickie Rudd;
Tracy Rutherford
Associate Professors:
Thomas Archibald;
Curtis Friedel;
Hannah Scherer;
Donna Westfall-Rudd
Assistant Professors:
Austin Council;
Tiffany Drape;
Stanley Mariger;
Megan Seibel;
Hannah Sunderman
Community Viability Chair of Excellence:
Rickie Rudd
Adjunct Faculty:
Natalie Ferand;
Makane Kane (Remote);
Steven Manchester (Remote);
Ya Cor Ndione (Remote);
Joseph Obeng-Baah (Ghana);
Frank Shushok (Remote)
Collegiate Assistant Professors:
David Milliken;
Jerald Walz
Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education - Introduction
The Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education (ALCE) is nationally recognized as a comprehensive program encompassing teaching and learning, extension, community development and education, and leadership in agriculture. We are social scientists practicing in the context of agriculture and life science. Our research, teaching, and extension programs enhance and strengthen the people engaged in agriculture life sciences.
Graduate studies in ALCE are grounded in our programmatic research in problem solving, leadership development, critical thinking, program development and evaluation, secondary education, non-formal education, and professional development. These research areas form our concentration areas of teaching and learning, leadership and social change, and community education and development.
Graduate Student Organizations
Our departmental graduate student association provides professional and personal development opportunities through speakers, forums, and group discussion. The organization is also committed to providing social opportunities for graduate students.
In addition to the departmental organization, many college and university organizations are available for our students. Students are also involved in national professional organizations as student members.
Leadership Studies
Our department offers graduate courses in leadership studies and graduate certificates in Collaborative Community Leadership and Problem Solving for Leading Change. For more information on courses, please see the LDRS course listing in the Graduate Catalog.
Offered In (Blacksburg, Virtual)
Degree Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Institution code: 5859
The department offers an on-campus M.S in Life Science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education (AEE) and partners with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online M.S. in Agricultural and Life Sciences (OMALS) degree. In addition, we are a collaborator with the Virginia Tech School of Education in offering an M.S. degree for agriculture teacher certification MSED/EDCT.
MSLFS/AEE
The Master of Life Sciences requires students to complete a thesis and final examination. A considerable amount of time is spent conducting research and writing. This degree is intended for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in teaching and learning, community education and development, or leadership and social change.
MS/OMALS (Education Concentration or Leadership Studies Concentration)
The Master of Agricultural and Life Science is a non-thesis degree intended for practicing professionals in education, extension or other forms of community development work. This degree is delivered by distance to students who are place-bound. Although this degree is intended for students who do not wish to pursue a doctoral degree, it does not eliminate students from that academic option if chosen in the future. Each student will complete a final project that adds to the knowledge base of best practices in our profession. The project defense (final examination) will be held at the end of a student's program.
MSED/EDCT
The Master of Science in Career and Technical Education is offered on the Virginia Tech campus for students seeking certification in teaching secondary agricultural education. This program is housed in the School of Education and delivered in collaboration with ALCE. Students who complete the program receive a degree from the School of Education. This is a non-thesis degree. Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination to complete the program.
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Offered In (Blacksburg)
Degree Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Institution code: 5859
The Ph.D. in Life Sciences with an emphasis in Agricultural Education (PhD) is intended for students who desire to be faculty in universities delivering comprehensive programs in agricultural, leadership, and community education, Extension professionals, leaders in educational programs and community development, or social science researchers. Our program focus allows us to deliver a customized program for students preparing for professional roles. Courses, experiences, and research are all focused on providing a solid foundation for graduates who will be initially competitive and highly productive throughout their career.
Our Ph.D. program provides a solid background in research and students are expected to produce unique discoveries in teaching and learning, community education and development, and leadership & social change. Students are expected to publish and present in the program as well as assist in securing funded projects.
Faculty members work with students to meet individual educational goals. Our faculty are known for strong advisement and personal attention for each student. Students are provided with opportunities to teach in formal classrooms and non-formal settings, conduct meaningful research, and deliver outreach programs.
The degree requires a comprehensive examination to enter Ph.D. candidacy. The comprehensive exam and oral defense is an opportunity for a student to showcase their abilities in the areas of integrating and synthesizing information relevant to their program. Advisor and committee member roles at this stage include 1) providing support and encouragement, 2) providing collegial and constructive dialogue, 3) creating an environment where ideas are shared in a professional environment free of condescension, derision and hostility, 4) providing feedback in a timely manner and 5) completing their tasks with all relevant signatures or other paperwork.
Each student will complete a dissertation that adds to the knowledge base of our profession. The dissertation defense (final examination) will be held at the end of a student's program.
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Agricultural, Leadership and Community Education - Facilities
Virginia Tech's Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education is located in Litton-Reaves Hall. In addition, we work with county extension offices, community partners, and secondary schools across the state.
Field Sites
Beyond Virginia Tech's campus, we work with local extension offices, community partners, and secondary schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Litton-Reaves Hall
The main office for ALCE is located in 214 Litton-Reaves Hall. Faculty offices and a teaching laboratory are also located in Litton-Reaves.
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Course Listing for Agriculture, Leadership, and Community Education
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