Cheyenne Bastian-Brown is February AEE Student of the Month

 February AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Cheyenne for her academic and extracurricular achievements. Cheyenne is an Agricultural and Extension Education major with a minor in International Agriculture who will be graduating in May. She is from Ralston, Pennsylvania and graduated from Canton Jr-Sr High School in 2020. Cheyenne was involved in the Canton FFA Chapter during her time in high school. 

Cheyenne said that she chose Penn State because "Being a high school senior during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unsure of what the next step was for me. I decided that higher education was my pathway, and I got accepted as a Political Sciences student. Obviously, I changed my mind during a year of service as a Pennsylvania State FFA
Officer when I decided that I could make a bigger impact in the classroom. I chose Penn State to pursue higher education, and to complete my degree because of the reputation and opportunities it provides to all students." During her time at Penn State her favorite class was RHS 226: Mental Health and College Students. She was involved in the FFA Alumni and Supporters @ Penn State, Beta Sisterhood, Dairy Science Club, Ag Student Council, University Park Undergraduate Association, Coaly Society, Ducks Unlimited, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)- Sigma Alpha Pi, Teach Ag! Avenger, Ag Advocate, Phi Eta

Sigma, Alpha Tau Alpha. She also held roles as a Global Teach Ag! Network Intern, Teaching Assistant for AG/CED 160, an Orientation Leader with Penn State Student Orientation and Transition Programs, and College of Agricultural Sciences Communication/Media Intern. Outside of Penn State Cheyenne has also been a NYAAE Teach Ag! Ambassador, NAAE Teach Ag! Ambassador, and Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation-Educational Intern.

Cheyenne enjoys watching the Steelers play football, hanging out in the basement of the Ferguson Building or in the VBSC Building, and going to Monte Carlos Pizza. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, music, and reading. One interesting thing about Cheyenne is that she has gotten to serve in multiple agricultural positions including Troy Fair Queen (2018), Pennsylvania FFA State Treasurer (2020), Lycoming County Dairy Princess (2022), Pennsylvania Honey Queen (2024), American Honey Queen (2025). In addition, she is a first-generation agriculturalist, so she has learned a lot about the industry through these various positions.  

Her agricultural interest and passion are for floriculture, dairy cattle, sheep, and honeybees since she graduated high school! She loves getting to teach a wide span of material so that students can navigate their interests as well! After graduating from Penn State in May, she will serve as the 2025 American Honey queen traveling the country advocating for honey and beekeeping. Post her year of service, she plans to find a position teaching agricultural education in the state of Pennsylvania. She would like to eventually navigate establishing agricultural education in K-6 curriculum within Pennsylvania. 

Currently, she is student teaching at Greenwood Middle-High School in Millerstown, Pennsylvania. She is teaching Plant and Soil Science, Basic Maintenance and Repair, Fish and Wildlife Science, Animal Bioscience, Food Science, Global Agriculture, Veterinary Science, and Agribusiness. When asked was experience she is most excited about while student teaching Cheyenne says "I am so excited to have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with the students in my classroom. I remember my agricultural experience and credit all of my achievements to my agricultural educator who pushed me to want to achieve in every opportunity possible. I hope to be able to have a long-lasting impact on the students I get to meet and instruct this semester!"

Cheyenne's favorite quote is: 

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame. A little less than his share of the credit.” – Arnold H. Glasow 

Follow Cheyenne on Social Media 

@cheyenne_bb20

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  Erica Teagarden

  CPPD Student Worker

  Agricultural and Extension Education
  

  Class of 2026
  
  

 

Kenzie Mowry is January AEE Student of the Month!

 January AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development is recognizing Kenzie Mowry for her dedication to academics and extra-curriculars during her time at Penn State. Kenzie is a member of the 2025 Agricultural and Extension Education cohort. She is from Mill Run, PA and is a graduate of Connellsville Area Senior High School. Although her high school did not have an FFA chapter, Kenzie was active in the New Horizons 4-H club. She exhibited lambs, goats, pigs, and steers at the Fayette County Fair. She was also a member of Teen County Council, 4-H Connects, and Birds & Bunnies 4-H Club.

Kenzie started her Penn State journey at Fayette-The Eberly Campus where she was the President of the Christian Club, a member of THON, and a member of the Outing and Adventure Club. At University Park she has been a Penn State Dairy Barns worker and also a member of Block and Bridle, Collegiate Cattle Women, and the Dairy Science Club. When asked why she chose Penn State, Kenzie says, "Originally, in 9th grade, I hated the idea of Penn State, the campus was too city for me. However, when it came down to deciding which school, I fell in love with Penn State and the opportunities that it held. Penn State allowed me to live close to home, but also when I did move away, I was able to find a new family living at the Dairy Barns." 

Kenzie really enjoyed taking Ag Mechanics with Dr. Ewing as the class allowed her to grow. She loves rooting for the Penn State Football team and eating at SNAP Pizza downtown. Her favorite place to hang out on campus is the third floor of ASI. Kenzie also enjoys hiking. She started her own herd of breeding sheep, to be able to sell to livestock exhibitors, which will allow her to pass on her showmanship skills in the process. One of the defining experiences that Kenzie notes during her college career are being able to live and work at the Penn State Dairy Barns. She has been able to grow her knowledge of the dairy industry while building friendship connections. 

Kenzie's agricultural interest and passion revolve around being able to educate students of all ages about the agriculture around them. She loves being able to discuss livestock in this world as well. For two years, she was able to work with Fayette County Penn State Extension as a Summer Assistant. Here she was able to find a passion for educating students about agriculture in different ways. Her future plans include obtaining a career in either Extension or as an Agricultural Teacher.

At the beginning of January, Kenzie began student teaching at Brockway Area Jr/Sr High School. She is teaching Ag Mechanics, Wildlife, Animal Science, Intro to Agriculture, Forestry, Soils, and Land Management. She is excited to be able to implement the lessons and experiences that she learned from the AEE classes. Kenzie is most excited to be able to interact with the students every day and to see the moments where they finally connect the lessons they are learning to agriculture and get it. 

Kenzie's favorite quote is: 

"Be willing to be uncomfortable. BE comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living the dream." - Peter McWilliams

Follow Kenzie on Social Media 

@kenzie2663

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026