Perceptions of Agricultural Leadership Academic Programs of 1862 Land-Grant Universities

Authors

  • Jackson C. Alexander University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service
  • K. Jill Rucker University of Arkansas
  • Donna L. Graham University of Arkansas
  • Jefferson D. Miller University of Arkansas
  • Jason K. Apple University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2017.04065

Keywords:

agricultural leadership, academic programs, industry needs, 1862 land-grant institution

Abstract

This study characterized perceptions of agricultural leadership programs in colleges of agriculture, food, life, human, or environmental sciences at 1862 land-grant institutions. Objectives included describing the need for programs, studying evolution within the discipline, discussing faculty recommendations for future development, and examining why programs are relevant. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which included open and axial coding. A total of 26 academic agricultural leadership programs were identified, and a telephone interview was completed by 19 agricultural leadership faculty members. Results of the study indicated agricultural leadership was historically founded under the umbrella of agricultural and extension education but also evolved from a need in industry. The discipline evolved because the academic subject matter was broadly appealing to students and, and its growth was also spurred by the popularity of community and rural leadership development programs. To improve agricultural leadership programs, faculty surveyed recommended collaborative efforts across the discipline to establish a unified vision and a national professional organization. Throughout the interviews, themes emerged related to the relevancy of agricultural leadership programs in higher education: (1) The agricultural leadership discipline creates leaders through developing “human capital,” and (2) graduates promote industry growth through their political, policy, and public influence. Future recommendations for research included identifying perceptions of agricultural leadership beyond the scope of 1862 land-grant institutions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2017-12-31

How to Cite

Alexander, J. C., Rucker, K. J., Graham, D. L., Miller, J. D., & Apple, J. K. (2017). Perceptions of Agricultural Leadership Academic Programs of 1862 Land-Grant Universities. Journal of Agricultural Education, 58(4), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2017.04065

Issue

Section

Articles