Sometimes the most practical education at a university isn’t taught in a lecture hall or gleaned from a textbook. In the Department of Animal Sciences at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, there is a rich tradition of providing students with educational experiences, activities, and rograms beyond the classroom to help prepare them to be leaders in the agriculture and animal sciences industries.
Activities like judging teams, industry field trips, international travel, national student association meeting participation, leadership roles in student organizations, and industry internships all provide high-impact experiences that help students develop practical career and life skills.
But as important as these opportunities and experiences are, these beyond the classroom programs and activities are in jeopardy because of declining state funding to the University of Illinois. The Department of Animal Sciences wants to ensure that there will always be sustained and self-perpetuating funds available to provide its students with meaningful educational opportunities that don’t just come in a university classroom.
Numerous classes include field trips as part of the learning experience. Field to Fork offers ACES and animal sciences students, including those from non-farm backgrounds, opportunities to better understand how facets of industry interrelate to facilitate safe and modern food production. The Field to Fork class also provides a platform for businesses to recruit and promote internships and for students to explore different career paths.
Dairy science students have toured dairy farms and dairy-related industries across North America. Points of interest have included pasture grazing, organic dairy farms, small to large dairy farms (100 to 10,000 cows), processing plants, AI and embryo transfer operations, feed companies, and commercial and university research institutions.
Students interested in companion animal biology and humane education participate in a biennial four-day field trip throughout the Midwest to learn about career options in the companion animal field. Students visit pet food companies, private and municipal animal shelters, behavior and training centers, zoos, kennels, and grooming businesses.
The University of Illinois is recognized for its tradition of successful judging teams. Participation on a judging team enhances a student’s ability to think critically, reason, and communicate. These skills and competencies are in great demand in the job market. Students involved in livestock, meats, dairy, and horse judging travel to and visit with the owners and managers of successful operations across the United States. These interactions provide students with a better understanding of the diversity of animal agriculture and help them network with industry leaders. Judging teams annually participate in contests that include: American Royal (Kansas City and Emporia, Kansas), World Dairy Expo Madison, Wisconsin), and North American International Livestock Exposition (Louisville, Kentucky).
Student organizations in the Department of Animal Sciences further develop academic and career interests and leadership skills. Students assume major responsibilities for planning and directing their club activities. Organizations include the Companion Animal Club, Hoof and Horn Club, Illini Dairy Club, Illini Equestrians, Pre-Veterinary Club, and Rodeo Club.
Several organizations are very active on a national leadership level. For example, each July members of the Illini Dairy Club travel to the National SAD-ADSA Meeting to represent and participate in the student affiliate activities and to compete in the dairy quiz bowl. The winners of the Animal Sciences quadrathalon compete with other universities at the Midwest Animal Sciences meetings each year in Des Moines.
Studying on an international level allows students to put their classroom training into context, gain global competence, learn about other cultures, and be exposed to diverse viewpoints. According to the College of ACES Strategic Plan 2006-2010, the goal is to provide 45 percent of its undergraduates with an international experience by graduation.
Student groups traveling to Brazil and South Africa focused on the study of zoology, culture, and environmental issues in international settings. Students became immersed in unique cultures and study domestic and wild animals used for food production as well the environmental and social impact of various agricultural practices.
The Illini Dairy Club’s international travels have included trips to New Zealand, Argentina, and the Netherlands.
Director of Development
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