TAMU Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications

09/01/2026

Help us welcome Dr. Krysti Kelley to the ALEC family!🎉

Dr. Kelley joins the us as an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education. Originally from Mission, Texas, she earned her bachelor's degree and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University and her master's degree from Oklahoma State University, all in agricultural education.

Before entering higher education, Dr. Kelley spent six years teaching high school agricultural education in Aledo, Texas, where she helped students develop leadership skills, agricultural knowledge, and a passion for lifelong learning. At Texas A&M, she will teach graduate and undergraduate agricultural education courses while also mentoring preservice teachers as they complete their student teaching experiences in agriscience programs across the state.

Born and raised an Aggie, Dr. Kelley says she was drawn to Texas A&M and ALEC because of the unmatched energy and the exciting momentum within our department. Her research focuses on improving teaching and learning by exploring how students think, learn, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

When she's not working with students, Dr. Kelley enjoys reading, kayaking, and traveling. Fun fact: she's visited 45 states and 14 countries, with Colorado and Austria among her favorite destinations. You can also win her over with Dot's Pretzels and a Diet Coke!

We're excited to have Dr. Kelley on our team and look forward to the impact she'll make on our students, future educators, and the agricultural industry. Welcome to Aggieland, Dr. Kelley! 👍

08/31/2026

ALEC students are building the skills needed to make a difference in their communities and future careers, thanks to the dedication of our outstanding faculty. From lively class discussions to learning from each other, Dr. Rotter is helping prepare the next generation of leaders, educators, and communicators.

08/28/2026

Welcome to the first episode of The Office Shenanigans!

At ALEC, we work hard and play hard. A special thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to throw a football at our department head, Dr. Stacy Vincent. We are happy to report he survived without a concussion.

Stay tuned for the next episode!


*We do not own the rights to the music

08/27/2026

Aggie Action Spotlight: Hannah Pace 🎉

This summer, Hannah served as an intern with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Rusk County, gaining experience in Extension programming and community outreach.

Hannah learned what life as an Extension agent looks like while serving the community that helped shape her. The experience gave her a greater appreciation for the impact Extension programs have on individuals, families, and youth across the county. Giving back to her hometown made the summer especially meaningful and further strengthened her passion for agriculture and service.

Congratulations, Hannah, on an outstanding summer!!

Share you and your friend's stories here: https://forms.gle/8XdS5xMzkZ459B7b7

08/26/2026

A wonderful read highlighting ALEC former student, Dr. Karissa Palmer ’23, ’26, through the words of current ALEC graduate student, Mamie Hertel. We are proud to celebrate the stories, achievements, and impact of our Aggie family. Read more at the link below!

Karissa Palmer brings her Texas A&M doctorate and passion for science communication to Mason County as a new AgriLife Extension health agent.

08/25/2026

From the classroom to the show ring, students in Dr. Lund's new Managing Youth Livestock Projects class are learning firsthand how to care for and work with show pigs. Not only does this course provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities, but the pigs raised through the program will be gifted to youth across Texas through the Maroon & White Youth Swine Program.

By connecting Texas A&M students with the next generation of livestock exhibitors, this program creates opportunities for Texas 4-H and FFA members to participate in livestock projects while developing leadership, responsibility, and agricultural skills of their own.

We're proud to provide opportunities that not only educate our students but also invest in the future of agriculture.

Applications for the Maroon & White Youth Swine Program are due September 1st at 11:59 p.m. Please email your application to Dr. Randy Lund at [email protected]

08/24/2026

Happy first day of class, Aggies!

We kicked off the semester the best way we know how, sending our faculty and graduate students off to class with a little sugar rush. We are excited to welcome everyone back for another amazing semester!

08/21/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated the remarkable career of Dr. Barry L. Boyd, Ph.D. as he begins his well-deserved retirement.

For years, Dr. Boyd has dedicated himself to ALEC and shaped the lives of countless students through his passion for teaching, mentorship, and leadership development. His commitment to excellence in the classroom earned him several honors including the Northouse Distinguished Teaching Award and recognition as a Montague-Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Boyd's contributions to research and scholarship have left a profound impact on the field. His work focused on developing critical thinking skills and ethical decision-making, including the creation of the QUEEN Model of Critical Thinking and the QUEEN Student Self-Assessment Tool. His research helped address the gap between the skills employers' need and what students learn in higher education, influencing both educational practice and future leaders.

As Editor of the Journal of Leadership Education, Dr. Boyd also helped advance leadership scholarship and support the professional growth of educators across the country.

While his retirement marks the end of an extraordinary chapter, the knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration he has shared will continue to impact generations of students, colleagues, and professionals for years to come.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Boyd for his remarkable service to Texas A&M University and wishing him all the best in this well-deserved next chapter.

Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Boyd, and thank you for the lasting legacy you leave behind! 👍

08/20/2026

🎉 Aggie Action Spotlight: Avery Deli 🎉

This summer, Avery interned with CJ Schwan's Food Service, where she gained hands-on experience in food service operations and field sales. As a Sales Intern, Avery attended food shows and conferences across Texas, helping promote CJ Schwan's products while learning firsthand what it is like to work as a Sales Representative.

Through this opportunity, Avery developed valuable industry knowledge, strengthened her professional skills, and explored potential career paths in sales and food service. She is grateful for the experience, the connections she made, and the chance to represent CJ Schwan's at events across the state.

Congratulations, Avery, on an outstanding summer! 👍

To share your story or your friends, fill out the Aggie Action form here:
https://forms.gle/D7wKem1nrahRgVVt5

08/18/2026

Stay connected and up to date with the latest news, accomplishments, and events from the ALEC Department. Read the latest newsletter here:
https://t.e2ma.net/webview/qesm0o/63c385c805a10d85c0f93da0a7f88331

Check out what we've been up to! Leadership Perspective Howdy, As a first-generation college student, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development with an emphasis in Leadership, and later a Master of Science in Agricultural Education with a focus on Economic and Rural Development meant...