As agriculture continues to evolve, agricultural education is expanding through advancements in technology and growing student interest, a trend reflected at Western Illinois University. With new faculty and staff joining the School of Agriculture, Director Keela Trennepohl said enrollment in the university’s agricultural education programs has grown.
“There’s a lot of new faces around and a lot of new energy. We just brought on Dr. Dusti Ingles in Ag Ed. Last year alone, she tripled the size of the incoming students coming into her program. The ag teachers around that are interacting with her are seeing the incredible potential and resource that she is and they are sending us more students,” reported Trennepohl.
“Animal Science has continued to stay strong, but we are seeing these revitalized efforts both in Ag Ed and Agronomy, complementing our soil scientists and our plant breeders. We have remained strong in Ag Business. Students interested in Ag Business, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Education; we have such strength in those areas and we are heading in a really positive direction,” Trennepohl added.
Earlier this year, WIU transitioned into a two-college system, creating the College of Business, Health, and Community Programs (CBHCP) and the College of Humanities, Arts, Science, and Education (CHASE). The School of Agriculture is now part of CHASE.
