Iowa State University Department of Agricultural Education and Studies

This week was a wild one between the weather and 4 out of 5 days being filled with OnCyte Orientation! Next week will be just as lively as we continue to greet new AGEDS students, but hopefully Mother Nature will take a step back.

Congratulations to current AGEDS student Amanda Ostrem ('27 agricultural communication & international ag) for winning the 2026 Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet at World Pork Expo!

The 2026 OnCyte Orientation season kicked off this week! Below are pictures from the first AGEDS orientation of June.

Congratulations to Ben Chamberlain, AGEDS academic advisor, for receiving the Iowa State University Learning Communities Champion Award! This award honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of learning communities at ISU.

We are delighted and to have Ben as a part of our team.

Last week, AGEDS faculty and graduates students had a very successful trip to St. Petersburg, Florida for the 2026 American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Conference.

Congratulations to our various award winners and presenters!

Last Thursday, we hosted the AGEDS Spring Graduate Reception to celebrate our spring and upcoming summer graduates.

Graduates and their guests enjoyed a brief program featuring greetings and an awards presentation from DOGE Dr. Amber Rice, student recognition by major professors, and our first-ever optional department hooding ceremony!

Congratulations to our 2026 spring graduates! Your hard work paid off, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next.

Congratulations to the five AGEDS students who were recently inducted into the Cardinal Key Society! This high honor society accepts 1/3 of 1% of all juniors and 1/2 of 1% of all seniors at Iowa State based on the candidate's involvement and the virtues of scholarship, character, leadership, and service.

AGEDS students inducted this spring:
Molly Freese ('28 agricultural communication & event management), Adelyn Koch ('28 agricultural studies & animal science), Ella Peterson ('27 agricultural communication), Emma Seibolt ('26 agricultural studies & international ag), and Chloe Zittergruen ('27 agricultural communication).

Congratulations to Lindsey Hospodarsky ('26 agricultural communication) on being the recipient of the spring 2026 Leadership and Innovation Award!

Read more about Hospodarsky and her journey at Iowa State: https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/2026/honoring-spring-2026-cals-council-awardees

Congratulations, Janelle!

Janelle Johnson has successfully defended her creative component titled "Growing minds: How nature has played a role in mindful learning." Janelle will graduate in May with a Masters of Science degree in Agricultural Education.