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Department of Communications and Agricultural Education

Students Present at ACE, Win Top Research Paper Awards

Story by Cassie Wandersee (master’s student)

Undergraduate and graduate students represented the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education at the 2015 Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) conference in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine students presented research papers, posters and workshop activities, ranging from revamping educational videos in YouTube to determining the organizational identity of K-State Research and Extension.

The attending group from the Department of Communications and Agricultural Educatio.
Ten attending students and their advisor pose for a group photo before the conference social event.

“The chance to present at a national conference is invaluable,” says Audrey Holderness, second year master’s student.

Jessie Topp and Jennifer Ray, both recent graduates of the master’s program, received top awards for thesis proposals and research papers, respectively. “It takes a lot of time and hard work to write a thesis, so it is an honor to be recognized,” says Topp.

Jennifer Ray accepts the award for Top Research Paper.
Jennifer Ray accepts the award for Top Research Paper from Courtney Meyers (’03) the ACE Research Director.
Jessie Topp accepting the award for Top Thesis Proposal.
Jessie Topp accepting the award for Top Thesis Proposal from Courtney Meyers (’03) the ACE Research Director.

Many disciplines were represented at ACE 2015. “I had no idea many of the roles they held even existed as a career option and opened my eyes for sure!” says Nathan Laudan, senior (ACJ).

Along with the opportunity to present and attend a variety of research presentations and workshops, the ACE annual conference and membership in the organization provides professional development and networking opportunities.

“As an undergraduate student it was an awesome chance to meet and network with communication professionals who work with universities across the nation,” says Laudan.

Both graduate and undergraduate students recognized the importance of networking and gaining new skills at the conference.

“I appreciate the learning opportunity offered to us by the department,” says Holderness.  “Many of the sessions I attended provided another layer of knowledge that will help prepare me for my career and future.”

Katie Rohling, second year master’s student, says, “As a young professional getting ready to enter the workforce, the conference was a great opportunity to see what others are doing in the field of agricultural communications.”

Congratulations and thank you to all the students who presented at the 2015 ACE conference!

For more information on ACE visit ACEweb.org. Photos and other posts from the event can also be viewed at the organization’s Facebook page Facebook.com/Association.for.Communication.Excellence or by searching #ACECharleston in Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

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