Student Spotlight: Killiann George receives PA Landscape and Nursery Association Foundation Scholarship

Killiann George of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was named a Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association Foundation Scholarship recipient. The PLNA Foundation Scholarship Program was established to assist students pursuing degrees in horticulture-oriented fields. To enhance the relationship between students and the landscape and nursery industry, the PLNA Foundation recognizes the effort of outstanding students in each of Pennsylvania's colleges and universities, including the Pennsylvania State University, offering horticulture nursery production, landscape contracting, or a strongly related field. Each recipient receives a certificate and cash award to be applied to tuition, books, or educational supplies. 

Killiann is majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State, University Park, and pursuing two minors in International Agriculture and Political Science. Her future career plans include becoming a formal Agricultural Educator or starting a career in writing and advocating for agricultural legislative policy. One day she hopes to write an agricultural-related curriculum impacting future generations of agricultural leaders. While in college, Killiann has also been involved in LEAD Society, and Collegiate Farm Bureau.

One day Killiann was scrolling through social media when she found this scholarship opportunity which sparked her interest in applying for the scholarship. She shared"This scholarship aligned with my educational and professional goals so it felt like a perfect opportunity to pursue." She spent time filling out an application, writing an essay about her future goals and her current classes, in addition to creating a resume, and a Faculty Advisor Form. She expressed her gratitude for receiving this scholarship by saying "Horticulture is a HUGE section of the agricultural industry and having folks who support the next generation is super important. I am super grateful to the association for their support and hope to be able to encourage future students to take part in this thriving sector of agriculture."

WE ARE so proud of you, Killiann! If you or someone you know is interested in more scholarship opportunities, be sure to stay tuned in to the Weekly TeachAg! Email Blasts with news and updates, as well as the College of Agricultural Sciences website, and Office of Student Aid.

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023

November 2021 AEE Student of the Month: Gabrielle Kriley

The Center for Professional Personnel Development is proud to name Gabrielle Kriley as the November 2021 Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Gabby is a senior studying Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in International Agriculture. She is from Rural Valley, Pennsylvania where she graduated from Lenape Technical School. 

Gabby's passion for agriculture was sparked at a young age from growing up on her family's fruit farm and continued as she began her journey as a member of the Armstrong County 4-H. She was apart of the Young Ruff Riders, Square Dancing Team, and Teen Leadership Council. She shares "Once I became actively engaged in 4-H, I began to learn the way plants grow, the importance of agriculture literacy, and became more familiar with the importance of agriculture on society. I grew such a love for agriculture as I realized that without it, the human race would no longer exist. As I continued my education through high school and college, my passion for agriculture has only grown."

Before starting her journey at Penn State, University Park, Gabby attended the Penn State New Kensington commonwealth campus where she was involved in THON and served as a biology lab assistant as well as the president of the Student Government Association. Once arriving at University Park campus Gabby has not skipped a beat. She is involved in LEAD Society, serves as a Teach Ag! Avenger, and Student Worker for the Professional Personnel Development. 

Some of Gabby's favorite things on campus include hiding on the third floor of the library to study, exploring new places, and eating at URBN Flavourhous in Bellefonte. Her favorite course that she has taken so far has been AEE 350: Teaching Methods for Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories because of the hands-on opportunities that she can take into the classroom. In her spare time she also enjoys horseback riding and listening to new music. 

Gabby is currently gearing up for her student teaching experience at Bermudian Springs High School in York Springs, Pennsylvania where she will be teaching Agriculture Environmental Awareness and Plant Science. She has shared some goals she has set for herself going into student teaching "My goal is to experience classroom teaching while also pushing myself to learn new content knowledge that I am unfamiliar with. Having the hands-on opportunity of teaching can change my whole perspective of teaching and ultimately, I know it is for the better because my Cooperating Teacher is incredibly helpful and has allowed me to run with the ideas that I have experienced so far."

One piece of advice she is offering underclassmen is "Do not allow your grades to define who you are as a person. College is challenging and you have various resources that can help you advance in your education." The Center is excited to see what else Gabby accomplishes in her Teach Ag journey. To keep up with Gabby be sure to follow her on Twitter @KrileyGabrielle and on Instagram @Gabrielle_mae128.

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural & Extension Education

Class of 2023