Courtney Gibson has been named an assistant professor in Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, according to officials with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She officially stepped into her new teaching and research post on Sept. 1.

The Lubbock native indicated that she is interested in continuing her research efforts in examining the implementation and impact of social media during agriculturally-related crises, the effectiveness and influence of graphic and document design within the agricultural industry and with agricultural messages, and innovative classroom technologies and teaching techniques.

One of her primary goals here at Tech is to work to continue the growth and success of the agricultural communications degree program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Gibson is also interested in evaluating and implementing new curriculum to better meet the changing needs of the industry and to better prepare students to enter the agricultural communications workforce.

Prior to joining the Tech faculty, Gibson worked as both an instructor and teaching and research graduate assistant in Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. Earlier she served as a social studies teacher and social studies department head with Houston's Harmony Public Schools.

Gibson received her bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural communications from Texas Tech. Her doctorate in agricultural communications and education is also from Texas Tech. Her awards include the Texas Tech Graduate School's Helen DeVitt Jones Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award (2014), the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications' Doctoral Student of the Year Award (2014), and the Harmony Public Schools Outstanding Teacher Award (2011). Gibson is a member of the American Association for Agricultural Education, Association for Communications Excellence, and Gamma Sigma Delta.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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