2011 Visiting Committee

The annual Visiting Committee meeting took place Thursday, February 17.  Those in attendance were Dr. Jeff Hattey, professor of soil science at Oklahoma State University; Dr. Tom Thompson, department head/professor in the Department of Plant Soil Science at Texas Tech University; Dr. Jennifer Grimes, Associate Veterinarian at Belton Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Joseph Bunting, Produce Category Manager at United Supermarkets.

“We have a great working relationship with our Visiting Committee,” said Dr. Foy Mills, department chair and agribusiness professor in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Throughout the years, they have been instrumental in helping us evaluate our program for improvements.”

Mills continued, “Last year a SWOT analysis was conducted with input from the Visiting Committee, students and A&E faculty/staff.  This year, I asked our Visiting Committee to reflect on the initial results and help us start thinking about their implications as A&E looks to the future.”

“My impression from the Visiting Committee is that they believe we are on the right track,” Mills said.  “They continue to encourage us in establishing our brand as a unique, Christ-centered agricultural and environmental sciences department.”

The role of the A&E Visiting Committee is multi-faceted.  They have assisted the department in program evaluation, constituency relations, visioning, etc.  However, for the past several years themes have established some level of continuity from one Visiting Committee to the next as A&E has implemented its ten-year vision plan called Project 2012.  This plan consists of objectives and strategies for restructuring and revitalization of the department.

“The Visiting Committee is pleased with our progress regarding Project 2012,” Mills said.  “They are very good about observing and commending us on what is going well and holding us accountable for the things we propose to do.  They also are excited about the placement of students and appreciate our plan for the future.”

Simple and realistic next steps have been set in place for the faculty and staff to make as A&E makes progress towards new goals.  “The next step is for the faculty and staff to take the information from the Visiting Committee and ask the questions, ‘So what?’ and ‘How?’ as we look to the future,” Mills said.