Enhancing Agricultural and Applied Economics Educational Programs

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Aug 2005 by White, Fred C

Renovation of Facilities

Renovation of classrooms and laboratories help improve the instructional environment. The main classrooms in the department have been renovated. The classrooms are fully equipped. The computer laboratories were renovated. Accessibility and security of the labs have been enhanced. The electrical system and the heating and cooling system were redone to improve the labs.

Concluding Comments

The Agricultural and Applied Economics Department at the University of Georgia has a strategic goal of enhancing its undergraduate program. A comprehensive approach has been implemented by the department to achieve the goal. This presentation has identified and described the many components that have been used to enhance the educational program, resulting in a 50% increase in the number of majors in the department and a similar increase in the production of student credit hours. The quality of the department's instruction, educational opportunities, and facilities are outstanding. These are necessary conditions for outstanding programs, but these are probably not the major reasons for the significant increases in student numbers.

Curriculum changes appear to be important factors in increasing student numbers. The faculty have identified niche markets and developed majors, minors, and degrees that appeal to prospective students. The faculty have worked hard to streamline the programs and provide career track information for the various majors. Courses in this department have become part of the requirements for several majors, including interdisciplinary programs on and off campus. The department has been effective in marketing the program though the web, at conventions and university activities, and through advertisements on campus. These marketing activities have informed and attracted prospective students.

Cultivating alumni relations would appear to be important in the long run for enhanced educational programs. Personal information from alumni is being used to describe career opportunities in Agricultural and Applied Economics as a tool to recruit prospective students and to expand employment opportunities for those graduating from this department. Development efforts with alumni are being pursued to enrich the educational programs through scholarships, leadership awards, and travel assistance.