Marissa McPeak-Kennedy is December AEE Student of the Month!

 December AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Marissa McPeak-Kennedy as the December Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. During her time at Penn State in the AEE major, Marissa has shown outstanding efforts in and out of her academics. She is majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in International Agriculture and graduates in May of 2025. Marissa is from Baden, Pennsylvania and attended Ambridge Area High School. 

When asked why she chose Penn State Marissa says, "I chose Penn State because when I was in eighth grade, my school took us on a field trip to the Penn State Beaver campus, and I fell in love that day. I knew form that point on, I was going to be a Penn State whether that be at a branch campus or at main campus." Her favorite class so far has been ENT 222N which is Honeybees and Humans she says, "This class not only taught me about a topic I previously had no knowledge on, but also gave opportunities for hands on learning and field trips." On campus she has been involved in the Dairy Science Club, Alpha Tau Alpha, a work study Secretary for the Animal Science Department, and a Teach Ag! Avenger. Marissa loves to hand out in the HUB for a lively environment and the library for a more quiet one.

 

During her time at Penn State, Marissa has had many defining experiences. First she notes that in her freshman year she switch from Animal Science to Agricultural and Extension Education. She also was a part of the Global Orientation to Agriculture Learning program where she got to learn about global agriculture and then teach for a week at a school in Kentucky. Marissa has also enjoyed attending the PAAE and NAAE teacher conferences to gain knowledge and resources from current agriculture teachers.

One interesting thing about Marissa is that she has worked at the Pittsburgh Zoo for seven years. Her hobbies include playing with her dogs and geckos, listening to music, watching animal documentaries, and painting. She loves to eat at SNAP Pizza and her favorite sports teams are the Pittsburg Penguins and the Penn State Nittany Lions. 

Beginning in January, Marissa will be student teaching at Twin Valley High School with Mrs. Nicole Weaver. She will teach Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR), Plant Science, and Agriculture Leadership/Global Agriculture. She is most excited to work wither her cooperating teacher to use some creative ways to teach the classes. Her cooperating teacher is the ag teacher and drama teacher so she is excited to see how the two overlap. 

Marissa's future plans are to go into the classroom and teach agriculture. Ideally, she would like to get a job in or create an elementary agriculture program. Her agriculture interest and passion are focused on global agriculture and natural resources.

Marissa's favorite quote is: 

"Success is not a miracle. nor is it a matter of luck. Everything happens for a reason, good or bad, positive or negative."

Follow Marissa on Social Media 

@marissamkennedy

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

CPPD September Student of the Month- Brandon Bixler!

 AEE September Student of the Month

Each month the Center for Professional Personnel Development recognizes one Penn State Agricultural and Extension Education student for their outstanding efforts within the undergraduate program, extracurricular activities and community involvement. For the month of September, Brandon Bixler is being recognized as the Student of the Month. 

Currently, Brandon is a Senior studying Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in International Agriculture. He is from East Earl, Pennsylvania and is a 2019 graduate of Garden Spot High School. During his time in high school, Brandon was a member of the Grassland FFA Chapter. From 2019 to 2020 Brandon served as the Pennsylvania FFA Vice-President and was the 2021 PA FFA National Officer Candidate. He said, "I owe much of my professional and personal growth to my time in FFA and those who influenced me on my journey!"

Brandon shared, "I chose Penn State because of the people and opportunities that make this university all that it is. I was profoundly impacted by agricultural educators who went through the AEE program, and this legacy of enduring impact alongside the vast professional network and opportunities for experiential learning made coming to PSU an easy decision". On campus, Brandon is involved in Ag Advocates, Teach Ag! Avengers, PSU FFA Alumni and Supporters, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Coaly Society, University Park Undergraduate Association Student Government (UPUA), and Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA). He has also been an AESE Student Consultant, INTAG 100N Teaching Assistant, and apart of the GOALS Program. He has also had internships with the Global Teach Ag Network, Corteva Agriscience, HOPE International, and NAAE Teach Ag Ambassador Program.

His agricultural passion stems from his interest in International Agriculture. Brandon stated, "I have a specific interest in international agricultural development and exploring how I can use my background in agricultural education to share agricultural knowledge and practices to support development efforts benefiting entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers. I enjoy connecting international agriculture concepts to each of the subjects I will teach in the classroom!" 

Brandon has had many travel opportunities that added to his experience with international agriculture as well. He shared, "During my time at Penn State, I have been fortunate to travel a fair amount including four new countries (Nepal, Dominican Republic, Canada, and Kenya). Whether doing undergraduate research or participating in an embedded course, I have grown so much through these opportunities to learn from others around the world".

Brandon's favorite class that he has taken was CED 497- Community Engagement with Pennsylvania Farmworkers. In this class he had the opportunity to work with Spanish-speaking farmworkers on a local dairy farm and gained experience teach English. He enjoys hanging out with his some of his favorite people in Ferguson 213. In State College, his favorite place to eat is Sower's Harvest Cafe. The Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions are favorites of Brandon. His hobbies include spending quality time with his family and friends, time outdoors, hunting down new coffee spots, and playing games. An interesting thing about Brandon is that he has a 7-year-old Golden Retriever named Penny. 

In January, Brandon will begin his student teaching at Athens Area High School with Mr. Dave Steinfelt and Ms. Sarabeth Alderfer. He will be teaching SAE/FFA, Ag Mechanics 1, Ag Mechanics 2, Ag &
Natural Resources, Into to Ag, Animal Science, and Horticulture. He said, "I am most excited to teach a broad variety of courses and gain experience in new content like Ag Mechanics. I'm also excited to experience life and agricultural education in Northern PA - this will be new for me!" After graduating, Brandon plans to begin his career as an agricultural educator and seek opportunities to make a positive impact with his work. 

Brandon's favorite quote is:

 "The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Follow Brandon on Twitter and Instagram

Twitter: @BrandonBixler

Instagram: @brandon.bixler

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026

October Agricultural & Extension Education Student of the Month Awarded to Nicole Guise

The Agricultural & Extension Education Staff would like to congratulate the October Student of the month Nicole Guise of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. Nicole shares, "My family has two dairy farms that total over 500 acres in York and Adams counties, Buttonwood Farms and Bentz-Hollow Farm. We do not milk cows anymore but instead focus on breeding genetically elite Holstein calves and heifers, we grow corn and soybeans, and have a custom baling and harvesting business." Outside of the family farm, Nicole has gained experiences with the York County 4-H Clubs (Dairy, Dairy Beef, and Teen Council). She was a part of the state winning 4-H Dairy Judging team and traveled to both the World Dairy Expo and NAILE to represent Pennsylvania. Her experiences in 4-H lead her to serving as a Delegate for National 4-H Congress and as a York County Dairy Princess.

 Nicole spent her time attending and studying at the Penn State York Campus before joining us at University Park. While at York, Nicole was involved in the Penn State York AgSci Club, Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellow, and she also won a Start-Up Challenge, similar to TV show Shark Tank, with a business plan for a customizable raised bed gardening service. Currently, Nicole is a senior graduating with a B.S. in Agricultural & Extension Education with minors in Environmental Resource Management and International Agriculture. Nicole is very involved in clubs and programs at Penn State including: Ag Advocates, Teach Ag Avengers, LEAD Society (Banquet Chair), Collegiate Farm Bureau (President), Dairy Science Club (Penn State Dairy Princess), and the Student Farm Club.

In addition to Nicole's involvement in clubs and student organizations, she is a teaching assistant for the Animal Science 201 course. Her hobbies include kayaking, baking and hiking with a unique goal in mind of going to every Pennsylvania and National Park before she dies. You can find Nicole in the Ag Administration Building in the Study Abroad Lounge as it is her favorite place on campus to hang out at. The restaurant Irvings is also her favorite place to eat in State College. As part of being an "Ag Avenger" Nicole has played a role in developing the Owl Pal Program at Penn State. "I created Owl Pals to connect AEE students regardless of their location (UP or Commonwealth Campus). From my own experience moving campuses, there were opportunities I wished I had known about/people I wish I had known were there to help me. It is my hope that Owl Pals helps Commonwealth Campus students feel more prepared to make the jump to UP, but also feel more connected to the students and faculty within the major."

Nicole has had some unique opportunities while being at Penn State including her trip to Chile. Since then, she shares her growing interest in hydroponics and that she wants to learn more in this area of agriculture as she continues her studies. As she is gearing up to start her student teaching experiences this Spring, Nicole will be student teaching at Derry Area High School with Mrs. Carly-Jean Rippole. 

WE ARE excited to see where the future takes Nicole as she embarks on her journey teaching agriculture and much more! We know she will continue to succeed in the future in all that she does. Best of luck next semester Nicole, we are rooting for you! 

To keep up with Nicole be sure to check out her social media profile on Twitter @nrguise.

Morgan Bear

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2023

November 2016 Student of the Month: Kurtis Miller (@skurtains)

Every month, we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in the Agriculture Education department! In November, we are proud to share some stories and accomplishments Mr. Kurtis Miller!

Kurtis is a Sophomore majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in International Agriculture. His passion for teaching agriculture developed with his interest of learning how to increase food security and agricultural literacy. Kurtis wants to create positive change, "Poverty and hunger are two things that I want to see eradicated; while that may be a loafty goal, it is something I will strive towards learning more about in school, and what I hope to contribute to in my professional career." This determination has brought many opportunities for Kurtis at Penn State to grow in effective teaching and technical agricultural skills to use to teach in developing countries.

During Kutris's first year at University Park campus, he has taken an active role in CFFA, Poultry Science Club, Rainbow Roundtable, and is already serving as President for Students Cultivating Change a club he co-founded this fall. Kurtis has much ambition to participate in many activites our clubs, department, and college provide. He has many accomplishments, and will contiue to do more throughout the rest of his time at Penn State. 

Kurtis is a great student and leader. Congratulations Kurtis for being November’s Student of the Month!

Want to know some fun facts about Kurtis? Check them out below!

Hometown: Honey Brook, PA

Graduation Year:  2019

Birthday: March 22, 1994

Favorite PSU Class: INTAG 100

Favorite place to eat in State College: Cozy Thai 

Favorite hangout on campus: ASI Building (I'm always there studying or doing homework)

If you would like to read more about Kurtis, connect with him via Twitter: @skurtains

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

Halee Wasson

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @wasson_halee

2018 Agriculture Education Student Teacher

October 2016 Student of the Month: Michael Cahill (@cahillms89)

Every month, we like to highlight students that have gone above and beyond in the Agriculture Education department! In October, we are proud to share the stories and adventures of Mr. Michael Cahill!

Michael is earning a Master's Degree in Agricultural and Extension Education and

International Agriculture and Development. He will be student teaching at Bald Eagle Area

High School in Centre County, Pennsylvania this Spring! Michael is a native of Richmond, Virginia whose passion for agriculture did not spark until an older age. His quest in becoming a positive agent of change as an Agriculture Educator is driven by his determination to inspire youth to actively engage in making the world a better place. He gained this determination after his experiences of traveling abroad, and working with youth across the world earlier in his life.

Michael also enjoys learning about natural systems and applying it to agriculture and sustainable design. He loves to teach and learn from others, which is why he takes an active role at the PSU Student Farm. From this role he has had the opportunity to “teach agriculture and help others in the community see the value in growing and raising food on their own.” As a father of two, Michael believes it is important for future generations to understand and comprehend the importance of agriculture beyond the soil. He plans to cultivate change with youth development through education focused around sustainability and agriculture. 

Michael is a great student and community member. Congratulations Michael for being October’s Student of the Month!

Want to know some fun facts about Michael? Check them out below!

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Graduation Year: 2017

Birthday: June 20th

Favorite PSU Class: AEE 505 Leadership Development 

Favorite place to eat in State College: GiGi's

Favorite PSU athletics team: Football

Favorite hangout on campus: Arboretum

If you would like to read more about Michael, connect with him via Twitter: @cahillms89

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog.

Halee Wasson

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @wasson_halee

2018 Agriculture Education Student Teacher