Meet The Team

Rafael Landaverde, Ph.D., is a researcher and educator committed to improving agrifood systems through digital innovation, data and knowledge management, Extension, and workforce development. His applied and theoretical research spans countries such as the United States, El Salvador, Brazil, Nigeria, and Honduras, where he has collaborated with several stakeholders to develop strategies for sustainability, environmental health, and development. With a strong focus on human behavior, Landaverde’s scholarship informs research, practice, and policy development. His commitment to human resources development in agricultural education and program evaluation has also resulted in a more competitive agriculture and natural resources workforce. 

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Educational Background

• B.S. Environment and Development, Zamorano University

• M.B.A. Business Management, EUDE Business School

• M.S. Agricultural Education, Texas Tech University

• Ph.D. Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, The Ohio State University

"We know many students need summer employment to pay for school. If that employment isn’t aligned with their career interests, it helps pay the bills but doesn’t extend students’ career interests beyond the classroom. NextGen NRCS Pros affords students opportunities to “earn while they learn” to become agriculture and natural resources conservation professionals who ‘Help People Help the Land.’"​​

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Educational Background

• Studied soil science and agribusiness management at Dickinson State University

• Completed undergraduate studies in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics at Oregon State University

• Completed two master's degrees in teaching and agriculture at Oregon State University 

• Completed doctoral work at Iowa State University ​​

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Jun Wang conducts research on positive youth development through the lens of culture and agriculture. She examines how culturally specific socialization processes (e.g., parenting, acculturation, out-of-school time programs) and geographically specific natural resources (e.g., food security, outdoor recreation, environmental education) intersect to promote the healthy development of youth from diverse backgrounds.

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Educational Background

• B.S. Applied Psychology, Nanjing Normal University

• M.Ed. Developmental and Educational Psychology, Zhejiang University 

• Ph.D. Applied Developmental Sciences, Colorado State University

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"A project like NextGen is needed to help ensure a future workforce of ANR professionals. I hope it will be successful in preparing students to fulfill these careers, but that it will also jumpstart excitement and interest in ANR careers. "

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Educational Background

• PhD, Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida

• MS, Agricultural Communication, The Ohio State University

• BS, Animal Science, The Ohio State University

• AS, Livestock Science, The Ohio State University

Sarah McCord is a PhD student at Texas A&M University in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. With a background in agricultural education, her research interests include international development, study abroad, smallholder farmers, cultural competence, community resilience, and related topics. Sarah has experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research projects focused on human development, agriculture education, and the advancement of sustainable agriculture.

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Educational Background​

• B.S.Ed., Agriculture Education, Missouri State University 

• M.S., Agriculture, Missouri State University