Erica Teagarden is May AEE Student of the Month

 May AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Erica Teagarden as the May Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. During her time at Penn State so far, Erica has had high achievements in her academics and extracurriculars. She is from Claysville, Pennsylvania and is a 2022 graduate of McGuffey High School. From the time she was eight until she was eighteen, she was involved in the West Alexander Ag 4-H Club where she was an officer for several years holding the positions of Secretary, Vice-President, and President. While in 4-H, her projects included baking, sewing, raising and showing market livestock, and raising and showing dairy cattle. She was also a member of the McGuffey FFA Chapter from 8th through 12th grade. During her time in FFA, she held the officers positions of Reporter, Treasurer, and President. Her SAE projects included employment at a local greenhouse, raising and showing market livestock, and raising breeding livestock. She competed in many different CDEs and LDEs including Vet Science, Floriculture, Livestock Evaluation, Milk Quality & Products, Employment Skills, and Prepared Public Speaking which she went to States for three different times. Erica is also a recipient of the highest degree an FFA member can receive, the American Degree. 

In May of 2026, Erica will graduate with a degree in Agricultural and Extension Education and a minor in International Agriculture. She says she chose Penn State because,

"Penn State was my only option when I was applying to colleges. I truly put all my eggs in one basket, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I knew I wanted to become an ag teacher and of course looked at all of the major state schools, but this one stood out from the rest. Between the opportunities, professional connections, and of course the sports teams it was a no brainer – I was going to Penn State." During her time at Penn State, she has been involved in a few different organizations including FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter at Penn State, the Beta Sisterhood of Delta Theta Sigma, Ag Advocates, and Coaly Society. She has also held a few employment positions on campus such as being a Student Worker for the Center for the Professional Personnel Development, being a Teach Ag! Avenger, and completing and independent study with PAAE. Her favorite class that she has taken at Penn State was Animal Science 201, she says "This class is taught by Mr. Dale Olver and is probably the most informative class I have taken while at Penn State. I got to learn more about animals and our food and fiber industry." She enjoys spending her time in the Ferguson Building or at any of the outside spaces on campus. Erica is also a big fan of Penn State Wrestling and enjoys going to dual meets with her friends. 

When asked about a defining experience during her college career, Erica spoke about her immersion experience that she had during her freshman year. She was enrolled in the AEE 499 course which looked into agricultural education in Belize. During spring break, she got to travel to the country and get and in depth look on Belizean agriculture. She says, "This was an amazing experience where I got to travel to Belize for eight days and learn about agricultural education programs in the country. "

Outside of Penn State, Erica has been involved in a few internship opportunities over the last few years such as being a Washington County 4-H Summer Assistant, a Customer Experience Intern for Horizon Farm Credit, and currently she is working with the Global Teach Ag Network as a Summer Intern and will begin her internship with the Pennsylvania
School of Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences in June. Her hobbies include going for walks, reading, and baking.
When she is not doing those things, she is usually hanging out with her friends or enjoying a meal at her favorite State College restaurant - Otto's. A fun fact about Erica is that she had the opportunity to serve as the 2024 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen. During her year, she got to travel to many different events including 45 fairs across the state of Pennsylvania. 

Beginning in January of 2026, Erica will be student teaching at Selinsgrove Area High School. Although she doesn't know specifically what she will teaching yet, she is excited to get to step into a teacher role and share her passion with students. She has always been an advocated for agriculture and believes everyone should have a basic understanding of the industry. Erica says, "I have always been an advocate for every aspect of the agricultural industry. I just love educating people on the industry because agriculture is a universal language and it is important for everyone to know where their food comes from and the opportunities that are available within the industry." When asked about her future plans, she says "Currently, my future plans include becoming an agricultural educator in a Pennsylvania middle or high school. However, no matter the specific career I may find myself in the future, I want to be involved in agriculture and educating in some capacity."

Erica's favorite quote is: 

"Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” - Fred Rogers

Follow Erica on Social Media 

@ericateagarden

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  Erica Teagarden

  CPPD Student Worker

  Agricultural and Extension Education
  

  Class of 2026