Rylee Ewing is June AEE Student of the Month

 June AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Rylee Ewing as the June Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Rylee is from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and she is a graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School. Before attending University Park, she spent two semesters at Dubois and Rylee said, "the campus was beautiful and the staff was second to none". In May of 2026, Rylee will graduate with a degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. 

Rylee says that she chose Penn State because, "they have a wonderful program and even better professors." Her favorite class at Penn State has been AEE 311 with Dr. Curry. She is a fan of any Penn State sport and loves to hang out in the Ferguson Building. Her favorite place to eat in State College is Chick-Fil-A and she enjoys hunting, pulling tractors, and spending time with her dog, Cinch.

Rylee was involved in the Dayton Livestock 4-H Club in Armstrong County from age 8 to 18. She was also active in the Redbank Valley FFA Chapter during her senior year of high school. When asked about her agricultural passion and interest Rylee said, "To me agriculture is a family tradition. What’s more important than teaching young people about agriculture?" Rylee has been actively involved in the Pennsylvania Farm Show and currently serves as the youngest individual to be a Pennsylvanian Farm Show Commissioner.

In January, Rylee will begin student teaching at Laurel High School. She will be under the direction of Mrs. Laura Palmer as her cooperating teacher. Rylee says, " I am most excited to see how much I can grow as a young educator through this experience."

Rylee's favorite quote is: 

“If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.” -M.S. Swaminathan 

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  Erica Teagarden

  CPPD Student Worker

  Agricultural and Extension Education
  

  Class of 2026
  
  

  

Kenzie Mowry is January AEE Student of the Month!

 January AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development is recognizing Kenzie Mowry for her dedication to academics and extra-curriculars during her time at Penn State. Kenzie is a member of the 2025 Agricultural and Extension Education cohort. She is from Mill Run, PA and is a graduate of Connellsville Area Senior High School. Although her high school did not have an FFA chapter, Kenzie was active in the New Horizons 4-H club. She exhibited lambs, goats, pigs, and steers at the Fayette County Fair. She was also a member of Teen County Council, 4-H Connects, and Birds & Bunnies 4-H Club.

Kenzie started her Penn State journey at Fayette-The Eberly Campus where she was the President of the Christian Club, a member of THON, and a member of the Outing and Adventure Club. At University Park she has been a Penn State Dairy Barns worker and also a member of Block and Bridle, Collegiate Cattle Women, and the Dairy Science Club. When asked why she chose Penn State, Kenzie says, "Originally, in 9th grade, I hated the idea of Penn State, the campus was too city for me. However, when it came down to deciding which school, I fell in love with Penn State and the opportunities that it held. Penn State allowed me to live close to home, but also when I did move away, I was able to find a new family living at the Dairy Barns." 

Kenzie really enjoyed taking Ag Mechanics with Dr. Ewing as the class allowed her to grow. She loves rooting for the Penn State Football team and eating at SNAP Pizza downtown. Her favorite place to hang out on campus is the third floor of ASI. Kenzie also enjoys hiking. She started her own herd of breeding sheep, to be able to sell to livestock exhibitors, which will allow her to pass on her showmanship skills in the process. One of the defining experiences that Kenzie notes during her college career are being able to live and work at the Penn State Dairy Barns. She has been able to grow her knowledge of the dairy industry while building friendship connections. 

Kenzie's agricultural interest and passion revolve around being able to educate students of all ages about the agriculture around them. She loves being able to discuss livestock in this world as well. For two years, she was able to work with Fayette County Penn State Extension as a Summer Assistant. Here she was able to find a passion for educating students about agriculture in different ways. Her future plans include obtaining a career in either Extension or as an Agricultural Teacher.

At the beginning of January, Kenzie began student teaching at Brockway Area Jr/Sr High School. She is teaching Ag Mechanics, Wildlife, Animal Science, Intro to Agriculture, Forestry, Soils, and Land Management. She is excited to be able to implement the lessons and experiences that she learned from the AEE classes. Kenzie is most excited to be able to interact with the students every day and to see the moments where they finally connect the lessons they are learning to agriculture and get it. 

Kenzie's favorite quote is: 

"Be willing to be uncomfortable. BE comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living the dream." - Peter McWilliams

Follow Kenzie on Social Media 

@kenzie2663

Erica Teagarden

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2026