Nicolette Cusate's 2023 NAAE IDEAP FAST Experience

Nicolette Cusate's 2023 NAAE IDEAP FAST Experience

Nicolette Cusate, Agricultural and Extension Education senior currently student teaching at Northwestern Senior High School, was granted the opportunity to attend the 2023 NAEE FAST - Creating an Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, and Accessible Progam. Nicolette, along with 19 other pre-service agricultural educators were chosen to travel to Lexington, Kentucky for this experience from March 1st to the 3rd. 

During her time in Kentucky, she had the opportunity to tour the Kentucky School for the Deaf and meet some of the students as well as the advisor. Nicollete says, "It was so inspiring to see the students that go there and hear their stories and how FFA and ag ed has impacted their lives." While at the school the students taught Nicolette and the others how to sign the alphabet. They communicated with students through interpreters. "I wish everyone in our cohort could go there and see their program, it is truly one of a kind and super impactful to experience in person."

She was also able to tour Carter G. Woodson Academy which has an FFA program of 96% African American male scholars who are admitted by a lottery system. This FFA chapter is also integrated with a Jr. MANRRS chapter through the University of Kentucky. Unfortunately due to a tornado warning Nicolette was not able to visit the school but did have a chance to meet their advisor in person and scholars on zoom. "We asked them questions about what it is like to be a minority in FFA and about their motivations to join and stay in the organization. They stayed
positive and were so kind to us, even though the day did not end up going as planned."

These are some highlights from Nicolette's trip so be sure to look at her blog for some more details about her experience.

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Jacob Turko is AEE March Student Of The Month

 AEE March Student Of The Month: 
Jacob Turko

    For the month of March, the Center For Professional Personal Development would like to acknowledge Jacob Turko as a student who demonstrates excellent educational and extracurricular involvement and excellence. Jacob graduated high school from Kempton, PA, Kutztown Senior High School. He will be graduating from Pennsylvania State University in May 2023 with a Bachelor's in Agriculture and Extension Education and Minors in Sustainability Leadership and International Agriculture. His future plans are to attend the University of Kentucky for a Master's in Community and Leadership Development and his research will focus on the recruitment and retention of minorities in agriculture. 

    Jacob chose to attend Penn State for his undergrad because he thought it was the best fit for him to grow in agriculture education while gaining the most current agricultural-based knowledge. His favorite class here at Penn State was ASM 327 which is Agricultural System Management: Soil and Water Resource Management. The clubs that he was involved in were: MANRRS, and PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. The jobs he had here were with the Poultry Education and Research Center and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. For internships, Jacob did Tick Research at the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, and another internship at Wildlife Conservation in Belize. 

    

    When we asked what Jacobs most valued experience was he responded: "I am proud to be a role model for other minority students in agriculture within my school and to encourage and uplift them into the career field the best I can".

    Jacobs' favorite sports team is the Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoys hanging out on the third floor of the library here at Penn State. His favorite place to eat at State College is Yallah Taco. Jacob's hobbies include painting, gaming, and reading. 

    When it comes to FFA background, Jacob comes from Kutztown FFA. His agricultural interest/passion is education, horticulture, and natural resource management. When asked one interesting thing about himself he responded "I am going to be the first person in my family to graduate from college!"

    Jacob is currently student teaching at WB Saul Agricultural High School. The two classes that he is leading instruction in are Natural Resource Management and Veterinary Technology II. 

Jacob's favorite quote is:

"Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied." 

- George Washington Carver

Make sure to follow Jacob on Twitter: 
@TurkoJacob

Sara Lichty

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural Sciences

Class of 2023