Story by Jeremy D’Angelo, (masters’ student)
The K-State Agricultural Education Club hosted the first Ag Ed VIP Day on Thursday, November 19 to recruit incoming freshman to the agricultural education program.
“We wanted to reach out to parents, as well as their students, to communicate the benefits of agricultural education as a major,” Brandie Disberger says. Disberger is an instructor in agricultural education and serves as the Agricultural Education Club sponsor.
According to Disberger, research shows that the major influencers in student academic decisions are teachers and parents. “The department does a really great job of reaching out to agricultural teachers, but we don’t have many opportunities to reach out to parents directly,” says Disberger.
Hosting the Ag Ed VIP day provided the opportunity to promote the program directly to parents and prospective students.
The day was intended to introduce participants to the agricultural education program and provide insights into career opportunities. Students and parents were introduced to department head Kris Boone, discussed the opportunities in agricultural education with assistant dean Shannon Washburn, toured campus with current agricultural education students, participated in leadership activities, met with an admissions representative, attended panels for students and parents, and had the opportunity for a final question and answer session with students and faculty.
This event provided that opportunity for K-State faculty, staff, and students to reach out to future freshmen and their parents directly. The event was attended by 11 students and 17 parents. The initial success of the VIP Day and positive feedback from participants is an encouraging sign that another day will be hosted in the future.
“I foresee a date change in the future, but I see us trying it again,” says Disberger. “It was a success and I think it could grow in the future.”
