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 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.
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.
As a proud alumnus, I was thrilled to see so many K-State students at our ACE conference!
Thank you Becky! We really enjoyed the opportunity to connect to our alumnus at ACE.