AgrowKnowledge
University Council

Iowa State University | Purdue University | Michigan State University
Mississippi State University | University of California, Davis

The overall mission of AgrowKnowledge is the institutionalization of science, math and technology education into agricultural programs at community colleges throughout the US. This mission will require partnerships with not only community colleges (since they do not exist in an educational vacuum) but also K-12 systems and universities. Universities, as do community colleges, provide education for a student's first and second years. Universities however have specific roles which community colleges do not provide, such as bachelor's degrees, research and teacher education. As these are important aspects in the institutionalization of science, mathematics and technology at community colleges, it is important that AgrowKnowledge form partnerships with universities. This has been done in two ways, first by having each of our community college partners collaborate with a university (and a K-12) to create an Agricultural Technology Education team. The second is through the University Council, composed of leading agricultural universities that can provide advice, assistance and insight into articulation transfer of technology research and teacher education.

The roles and responsibilities of each member of the Council will vary, with details established through dialogue between AgrowKnowledge staff, the Center PI, the Council member and other related partners. General roles of all University Council members are:

  • Serve as a liaison between the university community and AgrowKnowledge
  • Review curriculum materials
  • Attend and present at Center conferences
  • Develop a Best Practices Report in the area of teacher education, transfer of technology research to community colleges or articulation

Our University Partners

Iowa State University
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 Iowa State University
Dr. Wade Miller
Professor, Agriculture Education
121 Curtiss Hall
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-0895
515-294-0530 (fax)
wwmiller@iastate.edu
Dr. Miller will develop a best practices report on Articulation Between Universities & Community Colleges. The report will include a summary of articulation practices already used as well as identification of those practices that reflect success in seamlessly moving students successfully from secondary schools through community colleges and into universities.

Purdue
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 Purdue University
Dr. Gaines E. Miles
Professor, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
1146 ABE Building
West Lafayette, IN 47947
765-494-1223
765-496-1115 (fax)
gem@purdue.edu
Dr. Miles will develop a best practices report on Teacher Education in Agriculture Technology Education at universities utilizing community college students. The report will include a summary of teacher education programs and practices that are currently used as well as identification of those practices that reflect success in providing beginning teachers with the skills to teach technology and necessary science and math skills. The use of long distance education to meet these needs will also be reviewed.

Brigham Young Universtiy - Idaho
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 Brigham Young University - Idaho
Mel Dewsnup
BYU-Idaho
208-496-2027
DEWSNUPM@BYUI.EDU
Mr. Dewsnup will develop a BPR on “building co-operation between teacher education disciplines (faculty, administration) to enhance science and math in Agriculture education and Agriculture literacy for all students”. The report will include current perceptions of administrators, math and science faculty as to the relevance of integrating agricultural concepts and methods within the math and science curriculum for all students (K-16).

UCDavis
University of California, Davis
Carey Kopay 
Executive Director, Edward Teller Education Center
0301 Life Sciences Addition
Davis, CA 95616
(925) 422-1314
ckopay@ucdavis.edu
Ms. Kopay will provide assistance in the area of biotechnology enhancement to curriculum and faculty development. She (or they) will also research and publish a best practices report dealing with integrating biotechnology research into community college curriculum. Though research is not an area that is typically done at community colleges, much of it is very applicable to community college graduates. The report will research methods that are currently used to integrate research into community college curriculum and identify those methods that are most effective.