Richland Community College ag program expands staff, programs
COLLEGE: Richland Community College’s ag program continues to develop since relaunching three years ago. Director Jess Smithers is enthusiastic to continue developing opportunities for current and prospective students.
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Aug 31, 2021 to Sep 02, 2021
Just on the other side of the Farm Progress Show gates in Decatur, Ill., sits Richland Community College and its evolving agriculture program. Jess Smithers, director of agriculture programs, shares changes to the program since the last show in Decatur.
The program gained an additional staff member in December 2019. Dave Shiley began as the outreach coordinator for agriculture programs. His role focuses on recruiting and engaging with students in high school ag programs within the district.
DECATUR â Alyssa Nichols knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at a young age.
Now a student at Richland Community College, the Moweaqua resident is taking the first steps toward that goal in the agricultural transfer program.
âAfter Richland, I want to go to Carbondale to get my (degree) in animal science, and then transfer to the U of I to become a vet,â she said. âI love animals and I don t know if there s anything else I want to do with my life.â
Richland has transfer agreements with several area universities in various programs to make obtaining that bachelor s degree and beyond, and recently renewed its ag agreement with the University of Illinois.
The agricultural program at Richland Community College has announced a renewed transfer partnership opportunity for their students wishing to attend the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to complete a four-year degree. This partnership, referred to as the transfer pathway program, was recently formalized at three community colleges in Illinois.
Jess Smithers, director of agricultural programs at Richland, hopes the program provides students peace of mind that their Richland coursework seamlessly transfers to ACES. Students wishing to follow the transfer pathway program will be guided through the process which includes completing the prescribed course sequences at Richland Community College, meeting the stated GPA requirement, and submitting their application for a specific agricultural degree at the University of Illinois.