The world around us is constantly changing, and so is education. To ensure students will thrive and lead in the career paths they choose requires academic programs to be nimble and in sync with the changes around us and the challenges that lie ahead.
Examples of how college programs are innovating to benefit students include a new program that makes international study accessible and affordable to first-year students; a study concentration that expands options for students for outdoor careers; and experiential learning that opens students’ eyes to opportunities in the underserved field of veterinary entomology.
International Experiences for First-Year Students
Study abroad can be life changing for Herbert College of Agriculture students. It’s an opportunity to explore new cultures, learn languages, expand networks, and gain job skills. Though challenging, students return with unparalleled experience and a broader perspective on global issues.
To increase access for first-year students, the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture developed the First Year Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica for the 2025 winter mini-term.
This short one-credit course is highly experiential, providing context for real-world challenges in natural resources and agriculture. Students in January 2025 saw how parks and protected areas conserve resources, maintain sustainable populations, promote ecosystem health, and provide recreation opportunities.
All participants receive scholarships from both the Smith Center and Herbert. The program’s low cost and timing during winter mini-term make it accessible to first-year students. In fact, in its first year, applications exceeded available spots.
Students Get Ahead through Undergraduate Research
Sophomore food science major Elizabeth Cathey pursues research with food science professor Vermont Dia—an opportunity made possible by the Herbert College of Agriculture’s new Experiential Research Opportunities Program called HERO.
Their research project examines the protein in soybeans and pigeon (split) peas and the legumes’ potential as ingredients in value-added food products. Because of this experience in the lab, Cathey says she feels she now understands what food science is and aspires to a career in research and development at a food company.
Under the leadership of professor Adam Willcox in the School of Natural Resources, the HERO program empowers undergraduates to participate in research early on, enriching their academic experience and preparing them for advanced study.
The program awards funding to students on a semester-by-semester basis. While faculty technically apply to the program, students must take the initiative to approach faculty to inquire about potential research opportunities. If accepted, students receive an hourly stipend and supported travel and/or equipment costs.
Cathey now considers herself a big advocate for undergraduate research. To other students, she says, “Reach out to professors and get that opportunity because it’s an invaluable experience.”
A New Study Concentration Expands Students’ Options for Outdoor Careers
Last fall, the Herbert College of Agriculture introduced a new outdoor recreation and park management concentration under the leadership of professor Ryan Sharp in the School of Natural Resources.
David White, dean of Herbert, says the concentration expands options for students. “The new concentration provides our students with a variety of opportunities to expand their awareness and advance their careers in the growing outdoor recreation industry and parks management field,” White says.
Forestry students hoping to work for the National Park Service or other agencies and nonprofits can now take courses and develop skill sets to enhance their marketability in their chosen field.
Students in the concentration learn about recreation ecology, visitor use management, natural and cultural interpretation, and outdoor leadership. The training perfectly positions them as assets to the outdoor recreation economy and environmental steward of such spaces.
The concentration sets itself apart by drawing upon 21,000-plus acres of forest land available for teaching, research, and demonstration. It also takes advantage of the proximity to the Tennessee Valley Authority, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee State Parks, Cherokee National Forest, and several areas within the city of Knoxville.
Student Experiential Learning to Increase the Ranks of Veterinary Entomologists
Identifying ticks and parasitic arthropods, along with preventing and treating diseases they spread, is crucial for livestock care. However, training in this field is limited in the US. Professor Becky Trout Fryxell, one of only twenty-five veterinary entomologists nationwide, aims to change that.
With funding from the US Department of Agriculture, she is launching a summer program called Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students. The program will select eight undergraduate students from across the country to address the shortage of veterinary entomologists and lack of training while combating tick-borne diseases that affect 80 percent of the world’s cattle—a significant biosecurity issue.
Participants will form research teams with faculty from UTIA, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, and Texas A&M University. They will present their findings at an academic conference and online expo and experience the importance of collaboration.
Teamwork is critical in monitoring vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease and La Crosse virus. “This unique experience can train students on the importance of collaboration to solve major health and biosecurity challenges,” says Trout Fryxell.
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