One of our favorite questions to ask prospective students is, "How did you hear about the Agricultural Technology Program?"

More often than not, the answer leads back to one of our alumni or an industry professional who works with our graduates. Whether it's a former student sharing their experience, an employer recommending the program, or a community member making a connection, it's clear that our strongest advocates are the people who know the program best. 

That support is especially meaningful as the Agricultural Technology Program prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary. For four decades, our alumni have helped shape the agriculture, landscape, and turf industries while strengthening the reputation of the program through their leadership, service, and commitment to their industries.

To build on those connections, the program launched a pilot Community Ambassador Program in November 2025. The initial group included a small cohort of alumni and industry professionals with a mix of Applied Agricultural Management (AAM) and Landscape and Turf Management (LTM) backgrounds: Allison Bower(AAM 2025), Ethan Brown (LTM 2014), Jason Lipinski (AAM 1996), Austin Kaval (LTM 2022), and Logan Mills (AAM 2021). Together, they helped shape the program's goals and provided valuable feedback on how ambassadors could support student recruitment, outreach, and industry engagement. 

Following the success of the pilot, the program hosted its first larger Community Ambassador meeting in January 2026, with 32 alumni and industry friends registered to participate. The group continues to grow as more supporters express interest in staying connected and helping promote opportunities within the Agricultural Technology Program.

Community Ambassadors help share information about the program with prospective students and families, connect Agricultural Technology with schools and industry partners, and serve as advocates in their communities and professional networks. Ambassadors  receive program updates, recruitment materials, and opportunities to learn about upcoming events and initiatives. 

The next virtual Community Ambassador meeting is planned for August, where participants will hear updates on enrollment, student internships, program expansion, and upcoming opportunities to support recruitment and outreach efforts.

As we look toward the next 40 years of the Agricultural Technology Program, we know that the success of our program will continue to depend on the relationships built by alumni, industry leaders, and friends of the program. The Community Ambassador Program provides a simple way to stay involved, stay informed, and help introduce future students to the opportunities available through Agricultural Technology at Virginia Tech. 

Interested in Becoming a Community Ambassador?

We welcome Agricultural Technology alumni, industry partners, and friends of the program who are passionate about supporting student success and strengthening the future of agriculture in ways that fit your schedule. 

To learn more or join the Community Ambassador Program, contact Rose Jeter at rosejeter@vt.edu.