From The Dean

Transformative Learning –
Learning Outside the Classroom

Sharron S. Quisenberry, Dean

In early October, I attended “A Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning” held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was represented by a four-member team that included myself; Mary Marchant, associate dean of Academic Programs; Susan Sumner, head of the Department of Food Science and Technology; and Jim McKenna, professor of crop and soil environmental sciences (CSES). Ozzie Abaye from CSES also attended, representing the American Society of Agronomy. More than 250 people participated in this groundbreaking conference representing land-grant universities, industry, government, and professional associations.

A key theme focused on transformative learning at the undergraduate level, which includes a holistic approach to education both inside and beyond the classroom, e.g., student engagement, active learning, the development of critical thinking skills, undergraduate research, service learning, internships, international experience, and leadership development via academic competition and club activities, all of which must be encompassed by cutting-edge curricula that provide skills that employers want our graduates to possess.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has had a long-standing and strong commitment to the concept of transformative learning and continues to explore new ideas for curricular and programmatic thrusts in this area.

For example, a strength of our college is the way we apply transformative learning through the many external educational opportunities we provide to our students. These may take the form of student participation in regional and national judging contests, competition in events and activities with students from other universities, student-led organizations and events held on campus or at state fairs, participation in national conventions, student leadership in clubs and organizations, or involvement in department and college student ambassador programs.

Traditional interdisciplinary efforts continue to exist with team teaching of courses, both within and outside the college. Additionally, our faculty and departments continue to sharpen the focus of their courses and majors to assure that students are exposed to and provided the latest subject matter in their disciplines, which many times includes field trips to points of interest and the involvement of resource speakers from the industry.

In summary, the ultimate goal of our college is to provide the opportunity for each of our students to develop the attributes, skills, and professionalism needed to be a leader in the agriculture and life sciences of the future.