By Laurie Bedord, Future Ag Communicators Chair
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (NACT) in 1993 and adopted by AAEA- The Agricultural Communicators Network (AAEA) in 2004, AAEA scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.
Four scholarships will be awarded in 2018. The James Evans Scholarship is the top scholarship offered, in the amount of $3,000. Dr. Evans continues to have a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs, and serves as a mentor for hundreds of former and current students. The recipient of the James Evans Scholarship is recognized for “excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this is named.”
In order to be eligible for the James Evans Scholarship, the top four applicants will be required to take part in an in-person interview during Ag Media Summit. The Summit will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona (August 4 to 8, 2018). The winner of this scholarship will be announced at the student luncheon on Monday, August 6, 2018.
The three remaining finalists will each be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
All four scholarships are made possible through a grant from the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
Applicants must be current members of ACT and enrolled as an undergraduate student at a university or college during the time of their application (Applicants may be graduating seniors.). Although funded by AAEA and PIF, the scholarship is available to any ACT member, regardless of his/her specific communication career path. Recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:
- ACT involvement, leadership activities and other campus organizational involvement
- Academic achievements
- Internships and career-related experiences
- Reference recommendations
The scholarship selection committee will consist of members of the AAEA Future Agricultural Communications Committee, including at least one representative of ACT.
Applications for the 2018 AAEA scholarships are due on or before February 19, 2018.
Please encourage students you know to apply, and please pass along this information to university and college communications professors and/or advisers you know. Our goal is to recognize the very best students and support them in their endeavor to join our profession.