A recent graduate of Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications is taking a hands-on leadership position with the Texas FFA Association, officials announced Wednesday (Apr. 12). Kelli Neuman is set to become the organization's new Leadership Development Coordinator, effective May 15.

"We're excited to welcome her to the Texas FFA," said Texas FFA Executive Director Austin Large. "Her leadership philosophy, drive for personal growth and passion for developing student leaders will help continue the positive momentum we have of providing hands-on leadership development opportunities for our members."

Neuman served as a Texas FFA State Officer in 2011-2012. She graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications (2015) and a minor in political science. While at Tech the Winnie native interned in the U.S. House of Representatives with the Committee on Agriculture, as well as with National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Dow AgroSciences, Rodeo Austin, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Neuman is currently a project coordinator at Soderquist Leadership in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, working in the delivery of leadership development programs. She is a Soderquist Leadership Fellow and will graduate with a master's degree in leadership and ethics from John Brown University's business school in May.

Program officials note that one of the missions of the Texas FFA Association is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Over the years the organization has evolved from focusing primarily on production agriculture to a broader-based encompassing organization that addresses the needs and interests of students in urban and suburban schools, in addition to the rural communities.

Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, which has 14 faculty members and more than 350 students, is active in breaking new academic ground. In 2014, the department's agricultural communications undergraduate program was ranked as the best in the nation, according to a University of Arkansas study. Forty programs across the country were identified in the study, titled, "Characteristics of U.S. Agricultural Communications Undergraduate Program."

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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