Student Development

We value the importance of  "whole student" development and career exploration.  This can include building leadership and communication skills, teaching and outreach, project management, discussions and negotiations, mentoring, and even activities outside of the field of study. Opportunities to expand your student experience are listed below; and more opportunities can be added.

Involvement in organizations

• Plant Pathology Graduate Students Association
  • Plant Sales, Education Outreach, representing graduate student perspective on department and university committees
• CFAES Graduate Student Advisory Council
• OSU Council of Graduate Students
  • Offices, Funding and Awards, Programs and Events

- Serving on University Senate Committees (Dr. Bonello is a good contact)

Leadership - formal training

Courses and leadership training can provide an understanding theories of leadership, and strategies and concepts to augment leadership and involvement activities.  There are several course offerings at Ohio State, including courses in the CFAES Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership (ACEL). 

• Strategic and Program Planning for Visionary Change (ACEL 7230)
• Documenting Change through Evaluation and Accountability (ACEL 7700)
• Leading Through Historical Perspectives (ACEL 8000)

Graduate School - Programs

• > Career Building Strategies and Skill Development
  • Preparing Future Faculty, Accelerate to Industry, Preparing Future Professionals, Three Minute Thesis
• > Versatile PhD - web-based online community where students can explore non-academic careers

Teaching Endorsements

> drakeinstitute.osu.edu/instructional-support/teaching-endorsements

• Complete a set of trainings related to teaching, mentoring and communications
• Completed Teaching Endorsements are posted to your transcript
• Examples include Inclusive Teaching, Meaningful Inquiry, and Digital Media and Composition (more endorsement topics are available).  You can also take individual workshops and training courses

Mentored Teaching and Mentored Extension Outreach

PLNTPTH 8901 (Mentored Teaching in Plant Pathology) and PLNTPTH 8902 (Mentored Extension/Outreach Teaching in Plant Pathology) are designed to provide professional classroom and extension/outreach teaching opportunities, respectively. Students that successfully complete these courses will have their teaching experience documented on their transcripts.  Talk with your advisor and plant pathology faculty if interested.

Minors and Certificate Programs

Earn a Graduate Minor or a University-approved certificate in an area.  Examples include Statistical Data Analysis (more applied), or a minor in Statistics (more theoretical).  There are also Gradute Minors in Entomology, and Soil Science.

• Graduate School website list

Professional societies

Many opportunities for graduate student involvement

• American Phytopathological Society (APS), Society of Nematologists, Mycology Society of America, American Society of Virology, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, et al.
• APS
  • Committees and Boards > www.apsnet.org/members/engagement/Pages/VolunteerOpportunities.aspx 
    • Examples: Gradute Student Committee, Office of Public Relations and Outreach, Careers 101, Public Policy, Office of International Programs
    • > Subject matter committees are always looking for volunteers!
  • APS Office of Private Sector Relations - Plant Pathology Experiential funds for opportunities with industry or government
  • APS > Global Experience Program Fund
  • > Mathre Endowment for Education, general education/outreach related projects
  • > Raymond J. Tarleton Student Fellowship for student support and career development

Multidisciplinary Perspectives

• Courses, research and educational opportunities at Ohio State:
  • Global One Health - the interconnection between human, animal, environmental and plant health > global-one-health-initiative 
  • Wicked Science - understanding complex problems that require a multidisciplinary understanding, including social and political perspectives.  Some new course offerings > artsandsciences.osu.edu/news/ohio-state-launches-wicked-science-program
  • Center of Microbiome Science > coms.osu.edu
  • Translational Data Analytics Institute > tdai.osu.edu
  • Infectious Diseases Institute > idi.osu.edu

Study Abroad

• CFAES Global Education (some are undergraduate-level, but contact your advisor and the program organizers for more info).  There are expenses associated with Global Education study abroad that are generally the student's responsibility.

Other

• Shadow a lab
• I-Corps@Ohio - explore market potential of technologies -  faculty member must apply 
• OSU Extension Volunteer > Master Gardener program
• Volunteer
  • OSU Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens (Columbus)
  • Student Farm (Waterman Farm, Columbus)
  • Secrest Arboretum (Wooster)

Other ideas?