Cameron Goodyear is April AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Cameron Goodyear as the Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month for April. Cameron is currently a sophomore majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education intending to graduate in May of 2026. She is from New Berlin, Pennsylvania and graduated from Rockwood Area High School in 2022. Her first year as a Penn State student began at the Hazelton campus where she was a member of the Christian Association Club. In Fall of 2023 she switched to World Campus and in Spring of 2024 she transferred to University Park. When asked why she chose Penn State Cameron says, "I chose Penn State for many reasons. The main reason was for the opportunities Penn State could offer me in the major I have chosen to pursue". 

On campus, Cameron is involved in the PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. She is also a student worker for the Center for Professional Personnel Development. Her favorite classes so far have been Educational Theory and Policy 115 and Educational Psychology 14. She says, "I haven't gotten into very many major specific classes yet but so far, those have been my favorite. I had an amazing professor for those classes which made going to class worth it." Cameron enjoys spending her time with many other ag ed majors in the Ferguson building. As to a favorite spot to grab food, she doesn't prefer anywhere specific but says that the hub is always a great place to go. Some of her hobbies include sewing. She taught herself how to sew and has created calf jackets, egg collecting aprons, and toys bags. An interesting fact about Cameron is that she is the oldest of eight with four younger brothers and three younger sisters.

Cameron is no stranger to the agricultural industry. Her passion began when she was younger and has continued every since. Cameron says, "My agricultural passion started at the age of 9 when we lived in a house just outside of town with a small yard. There we raised some ducks for a bit and slowly progressed to mini donkeys and a jersey bull calf. At that point we knew we had to move to a hobby farm to support our new addiction. From there we worked on a few different farms, and I realized agriculture is the field for me." During her time in high school she was a member of the Mifflinburg FFA chapter where she received her Greenhand Degree and the Rising Sun Award. She also competed in the Employment Skills competition and on the Agribusiness Management Team. Her senior year she moved and became a member of the Rockwood FFA Chapter where she got her County and Chapter Degrees. Cameron was also able to compete in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Horse Judging, and Livestock Judging. She has received her State Keystone Degree and will receive her American Degree in October at the National FFA Convention. 

This past summer Cameron complete an internship through the Center for Dairy Excellence. She says, "I had the opportunity to be an on-farm intern at Eleven Farms in Elliotburg, Perry County." Currently Cameron is participating in the Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning (GOALs) program. She states, "Through this program I got the opportunity to attend the World Food Prize and over my spring breaks I had a teach immersion trip. My triad and I traveled out to American Falls Idaho to teach students about global agriculture." Cameron saw this as a wonderful opportunity to confirm that the classroom was where she wanted to be. Next month, she will travel to Belize to learn more about their agricultural industry. For her future, Cameron says, "My ultimate goal is to be an agricultural teacher, but I'll see where the good Lord takes me."

Cameron's favorite quote:

But they wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Follow Cameron on Social Media: cameron.goodyear.92

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Emily Jay is named Agricultural and Extension Education March Student of the Month!

 AEE March Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Emily Jay as the March Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Emily is from Shermans Dale, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of West Perry High School. Emily received an associates degree in General Studies from Fort Hays State University in 2021 and a graduate certificate from Miracle Mountain Ranch School of Discipleship in 2017. Currently, she is majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education and will graduate in May. Emily shares, "Ever since I began school, I wanted to attend Penn State (the best school in the state!). Also, my dad attended Penn State."

During her time at Penn State, Emily was a member of the PSU FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter and also a Teach Ag! Avenger. Her favorite class at Penn State was Ag Mechanics with Dr. Ewing. On campus, she enjoys hanging out in Ferguson 213. Her favorite place to eat in State College is Chick-Fil-A. Of course, her favorite team is the Penn State Football team. Emily enjoys riding horses, painting, swimming, and hanging out with friends.

With an extensive background in her own FFA chapter, Emily is no stranger to the duties of an ag teacher. She was a part of the West Perry FFA chapter and held officers positions such as Vice President and Secretary. Emily has received her Greenhand, Chapter, CDP Area, Keystone, and American degree. She has competed in Parliamentary Procedure, FFA Knowledge, Vet Science Skills, and Farm Business Management at PA FFA State Convention.

Emily has had a couple of different internship experiences. First, with Miracle Mountain Ranch as Summer Barn Staff. Also, she was a part of the Global Orientation to Agricultural Learning Program where she not only got to attend the World Food Prize but also have a short teaching immersion. She spent a week in Minnewaska, Minnesota teaching Global Agriculture to middle schoolers.

Some defining experiences during her college career have included working at Sheetz while also completing her degree. She also got to assist state officers and other Ag Ed students with the Fall Leadership Conference for two years, helped to create an exam and judge the 2023 Horse Evaluation CDE at PA FFA State Convention, and is ServSafe Certified. Her passion is teaching animal science as well as just helping her students to reach their full potential and be better consumers in the world.

Emily is completing her student teaching experience at Big Spring Middle School in Newville, Pennsylvania. She is teaching a variety of classes including 7th/8th grade Woodshop, 6th grade Intro to Ag, 7th/8th grade Family and Consumer Science, Plant & Greenhouse, and Living On Your Own. When asked what she is most excited for during her time student teaching, Emily says, "Planning and taking FFA events/trips like the Spring Ag Careers Day and Trout in the Classroom(Earth Day-release day)!"

For her future, she states, "[my future plans are] to teach at either a middle school, high school, or both (wherever this profession takes me) [and] work towards my master's after teaching for a few years." Emily does not have a specific area of agriculture that she hopes to teach. She shares, "What I enjoy most about agriculture is its diversity in subjects, so it’s difficult for me to pick one area I like the most."

Emily's favorite quote:

"To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny

bone." - Reba McEntire

Follow Emily on Social Media: @EmilyJay0108

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Emily McGowan is named Agricultural and Extension Education February Student of the Month!

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Emily McGowan as the February Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Emily is from Millerstown, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Greenwood High School. Currently, she is majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education and will graduate in May. Emily shares, "Upon my first visits to campus, before I applied, I was impressed by the resources that Penn State offered its students within the college of agricultural sciences and the impact the institution has had on agricultural research. But as I engaged with Dr. Ewing and the other staff in the agricultural and extension education program, I knew I was in an environment that would best support me on my journey to becoming an agricultural educator.".

During her time at Penn State, Emily was a member of the PSU FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter. She enjoyed taking the Soils 100 and Ag Business Management 100 courses. On campus, she enjoyed hanging out in the Paterno Library. Her favorite on-campus spot to grab something to eat is the Penn State Berkey Creamery.

Emily enjoys hunting, drawing, skiing, and traveling. Fun fact- she has been to seven countries! She has also done her fair amount of traveling during her time in ag education. Emily has traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, and the School Leader Conference on Intercultural and Intersectional Competence.

Emily is completing her student teaching experience at Tri-Valley Jr/Sr High School with Mrs. Gretchen Dingman. She is teaching a variety of classes including 8th Grade Rotation, Ag Science and Mechanics I, Ag Science II, III, IV, Ag Practicum, Woodworking, and Welding. When asked what she is most excited for during her time at Tri-Valley, Emily says, "That’s a hard question, there’s so much to the teaching profession that can’t be taught in a college classroom, some of my most important lessons may come from the experiences I least expect. I’m excited to see how my students grow through these experiences in the classroom and their efforts in the FFA, and learning how to better support them on their journey.".

For her future, she states, "I’m keeping my doors open, but currently I’m looking into teaching in a high school setting after a Master’s degree.". Emily does not have a specific area of agriculture that she hopes to teach. She shares, "What I enjoy most about agriculture is its diversity in subjects, so it’s difficult for me to pick one area I like the most.".

Emily's favorite quote:

"To make a difference in someone's life, you do not have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care." - Mandy Hale

Follow Emily on Social Media: @EmilyMcGowan_25

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

Noah Phillips is named Agricultural and Extension Education January Student of the Month!

 

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Noah Phillips as the January Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Noah is from Dushore, Pennsylvania and attended Sullivan County Jr./Sr. High School. He is a part of the #psuaged24 cohort at Penn State and will graduate in the spring with a degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. Noah shares, "I chose Penn State for the amazing connections it provides, the worthwhile money spent towards my degree, and the Penn State Community. Free entry to Penn State wrestling matches is also an awesome bonus."

Although Noah did not have the opportunity to be a part of FFA, he was a member of Sullivan County 4-H for 10 years. As a member of the Sullivan County Livestock Club he raised market lambs and market swine which he exhibited at the county fair. He was also a member of the Future Leaders of the Dairy World 4-H Club and raised dairy heifers, calves, and cows. Noah also had the opportunity to show around the state and in New York at fairs and competitions. He has also had many internship opportunities within the agricultural industry. He was a Sullivan County 4-H Intern, Dairy Farm Manager at a farm in Slippery Rock, PA, and a Dairy Cattle Hoof Care Intern. Over the past few years he has worked on seven different dairy farms across Pennsylvania. Some with just 40 cows and others with over 1,000.

On campus, Noah is involved in the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Tau Alpha, the Penn State Dairy Science Club, and College of Agricultural Sciences Student Council Representative. He is also working on getting his minor in International Agriculture. Noah enjoyed taking the Psych 100 course he shares, "[it] enabled me with the tools to understand my students more." He enjoys spending his time watching his favorite sports team, Penn State Wrestling, hanging out in the Ferguson Building, or eating at his favorite downtown restaurant, Uncle Chen's. When he is not busy lesson planning, Noah enjoys reading, watching tv shows and movies, and hanging out with his friends. 

Currently, Noah is way out in western Pennsylvania at Fort Cherry Jr./Sr. High School with Mrs. Jodie Hoover. He will be teaching Introduction to Ag, Animal Science, Horticulture, Ag Leadership, Vet Sciences, Ag Marketing, and Floral Design. Noah says, "I am excited to work ag mechanics into my curriculum to a school that does not have an ag mechanics program." Upon graduation, he is hoping to secure a job as a high school agricultural teacher. When asked about his agricultural interest, Noah shared, "My interest is to provide opportunities for the next generation of ag leaders and to encourage them to pursue their future dreams with an exemplary understanding of the agricultural industry."

Noah's favorite quote:
"Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein 
Follow Noah on Twitter: @NoahAgEd

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026