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The UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) develops leaders, educators and communicators to meet the challenges society is facing in the agriculture and natural resource industries.

Our Vision: We strive for a world in which individuals, leaders, schools, organizations, and communities learn and make decisions about agriculture and natural resources to enhance the greater good.

Our Mission: We engage in exemplary scholarship designed in collaboration with our stakeholders to positively impact emerging agriculture and natural resource issues. We promote social change through innovation in our teaching, research, and Extension programs.

We also have high expectations for our faculty and graduate students. Our visions for these groups are outlined below:

• Our Values

  We are One Team.
  We are proud of the positive influence we have in the lives of our team members (faculty, staff, and students) and stakeholders. With societal impact as our guiding focus, we act with respect, integrity, trust, and transparency in pursuit of our mission. We elevate others through positivity, encouragement, and support. We celebrate the contributions of each person in our quest to deliver results.

  We develop people.
  We provide an environment that fosters personal development and professional growth in our team and our stakeholders. We want to see our team members and those we serve grow and acquire new skills and knowledge to become forces for good.

  We build relationships.
  We connect with our stakeholders and each other to drive success. We communicate honestly and respectfully. We share information, openly address mistakes, and celebrate victories. We bring passion and energy to our work, knowing that active participation is essential to solve problems and meet the needs of our stakeholders. We value listening carefully, speaking thoughtfully, and encouraging and respecting diversity of thought.

  We collaborate enthusiastically.
  We are hard-working individuals who reach great heights when we come together with our team members and stakeholders to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture and natural resources today.

  We lead with integrity.
  We hold ourselves to high standards and expect the same from others. Integrity is the defining quality of our people. We strive to be the model department for the profession.

  We achieve the extraordinary.
  We seize the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve, with lasting and positive impacts. We believe anything is possible when we focus our talents, passion, and commitment to excellence. We create growth and innovation through learning and taking bold action. We seek creative, evidence-based solutions for problems affecting ANR.

• Vision for Faculty Engagement

  Faculty contribute to the general well-being – civic, intellectual, and fiscal – of the Department. These contributions are made through faculty teaching, research, and extension/outreach and service activities. Civic well-being refers to a faculty member’s sense of commitment to building community within the department and actively contributing to the department’s mission. Intellectual well-being refers to a faculty member’s commitment to exploring new and critical ideas in the discipline. Fiscal well-being refers to a faculty member’s contributions to the financial health of the department, which can occur through the wise use of available resources and through seeking new resources through grants, contracts, and other entrepreneurial endeavors. Teaching encompasses advising and mentoring as well as course instruction and development. Faculty engage in thoughtful, meaningful, and responsive teaching in the preparation of course materials, in instruction, and in assessments of student work and one’s own teaching. Faculty also engage in supportive and responsive mentoring and advising of students in various formal and informal roles – academic advisor, supervisory committee member, student organization advisor, and others. Faculty engage individually and often collaboratively in research that is focused on contributing to a greater understanding of the issues in our discipline and meeting the needs of our stakeholders. Faculty actively participate in the leadership of relevant programs within the Department by attending meetings and contributing substantially to the work of the Department. Faculty engage in this work in such a way as to build community and forward the mission of the Department. Faculty members are responsible for discharging their instructional, scholarly, and service duties civilly, constructively, and in an informed manner. Through their local, national, and international efforts, faculty model the civic and intellectual leadership we expect of our students and communities.

• Vision for Graduate Student Engagement

  Participation within the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida provides fulfilling opportunities beyond the classroom that round out a graduate student’s experience. The department strives to maintain a deep connection with the demands of the workforce and match the industry’s needs with university programs that provide relevant and developmental experiences for our graduate students. Program engagement will maximize your personal and professional development by participating in departmental learning and professional experiences including seminars, special lectures, prospective student and faculty interviews, social and recreational events, meetings with stakeholders, special projects under the supervision of various faculty members, professional development opportunities, and other events designed to enhance scholarship, professional growth, and community in the Department. Reflecting the department’s vision of upholding the highest standard of professional and academic development, as graduate students who engage in academic activities at a higher capacity, you will represent AEC in a professional manner in all settings. In addition, all graduate students are encouraged to become active members participating in the continued development and planning of departmental activities through the AEC Graduate Student Association (AECGSA).

• Vision for Graduate Assistant Engagement

  Graduate assistantships in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication provide a meaningful student experience, opening opportunities for professional development and playing an active role in the department’s community. A highly integrated role with strong engagement requires an attitude of integrity and professionalism that models the behavior of staff and faculty within the department. This includes, but is not limited to wearing appropriate attire, practicing mindful and respectful behavior of others, and the timely fulfillment of duties assigned by the faculty you have been assigned to assist. Due to the campus-wide high-visibility of AEC graduate assistants, the role requires active awareness and participation in AEC activities, such as AECGSA and departmental-wide activities and events. Full engagement in an AEC graduate assistant position includes maintaining a physical presence in the office appropriate for your appointment. As with any departmental role, full engagement while an AEC graduate assistant is a tremendous opportunity for professional growth and future career success. The Department admits applicants with the highest integrity because of the highly influential position you hold in building the local and national reputation and standing of the Department. A role with this great of responsibility requires proactive contributions to the positive and professional work environment in the Department. This includes maintaining professional interactions, fulfilling all assigned duties in an exemplary manner, recognizing their professional role as teachers and mentors of undergraduate students, corresponding in a timely and professional manner via email and other means, maintaining the professional appearance of their desk/office space, being physically present in the Department academic environment, and working collaboratively with faculty supervisor(s) and others in the Department and University.