Agriculture Future of America recently selected 32 college students to serve as organizational Ambassadors. These students represent 32 campuses in 22 states. During their year of service, the Ambassadors will interact with agribusiness leaders, campus faculty and fellow students to increase awareness of AFA on their campuses.
AFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing undergraduate students into the next generation of leaders for the food, agriculture and natural resources industry. The Ambassador program is integral to AFA’s external relations and serves as a liaison between AFA and university faculty, staff and students. Ambassadors work toward goals that increase awareness of AFA’s programs and pursue creative strategies to accomplish these goals.
“This group brings a wide range of diverse perspectives and I’m eager to see them develop throughout their term,” says Kelly Boswell, AFA marketing manager and manager of the Ambassador program. “Ambassadors are critical to the health of our diverse applicant pool, which is a high priority for AFA. Their service as Ambassadors sets the students up for success by building a strong foundational network for them and providing valuable career readiness skills.”
The Ambassadors kick off their term March 31, 2022, when the Ambassador team conducts virtual onboarding. AFA trains the Ambassadors in marketing tactics, communication and teamwork to support their efforts in spreading awareness of AFA its opportunities for students across the nation. In addition to spreading awareness of AFA on their campuses, Ambassadors will visit current and potential AFA partners to discuss the importance of building leaders for the food, agriculture and natural resources industries. The visits provide opportunities for leaders from partner organizations to hear student voices and perspectives, while expanding Ambassadors’ understanding of agriculture.
The 2022-23 AFA Ambassadors include:
- Zoe Delbridge, Alabama A&M University
- Amy Suarez, California State University-Fresno
- Kylie Donovan, Colorado State University
- Giulianna Kukor, Cornell University
- Isa Salaam, Florida A&M University
- Casey Hunter, Fort Valley State University
- Jack Chism, Iowa State University
- Makenna Campbell, Kansas State University
- Elizabeth Lee, Lincoln Land Community College
- Gracie Krahn, Linn Benton Community College
- Mattie Thrasher, Louisiana State University
- Colby Chapman, Middle Tennessee State University
- Shelby Orton, North Carolina State University
- Alexis Camara, Northeastern Junior College
- Savannah Van Veldhuizen, Northwestern College
- Leah Welk, Pennsylvania State University
- Olivia Greenwood, Prairie View A&M University
- Noah Berning, Purdue University
- Tiffany Van Buren, South Dakota State University
- Emma Lagerhausen, Southern Illinois State University-Carbondale
- Harrison VanDeWalle, SUNY Cobleskill
- Jessica Stephens, Texas A&M University
- Macie Miller, Texas Tech University
- Hannah Watkins, The Ohio State University ATI
- Muhammad Ali Muhammad, University of Arkansas
- Maddie Dvorak, University of Florida
- Reagan Kulenkamp, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Halley Blades, University of Missouri
- Savannah Jones, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Bentley Johnson, Utah State University
- Della Paloy, Washington State University
“Engaging the Ambassadors on their campuses and in meetings with partner organizations is integral in creating industry-wide awareness, while also showcasing the value of student leaders,” says Mark Stewart, AFA president and CEO. “AFA exists to build transformational leaders for the entire production chain, and we do so by expanding awareness of AFA through the Ambassadors’ national presence.”
