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Allison Arp, the new marketing and communications director for South Dakota State University’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, has been accepted into the 13th class of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership program. 

Arp is one of 22 class members in the 18-month program and was selected during a competitive application process. Through a series of educational seminars within the state, in Washington, D.C., and internationally, class participants grow in their knowledge of the broad scope of agriculture and agribusiness in South Dakota, the nation and the world. 

“In addition to the formal training of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership program, one of the greatest opportunities will be the chance to learn from the rest of the class and hopefully share some of my expertise with them,” Arp said. “The unique environment of people who come from different backgrounds with different lived experiences, all motivated to learn and improve by the same mission, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

The newest leadership cohort members will begin their training in December with a seminar held in Brookings. In addition to Arp, the 2025-26 class boasts numerous others with Jackrabbits connections. Twelve of Arp’s classmates received their bachelor’s degrees, one received a master’s degree and two others earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SDSU.

“I am so pleased to have been selected for participation as a class member in the South Dakota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program, with its strong — past and current — representation from SDSU,” Arp said. “More than 300 agriculture leaders have graduated from SDARL, and it is a privilege to join this elite group.” 

Arp began her duties at SDSU in April with previous experience in agriculture communications at another land-grant university and for commodity organizations. She most recently served as communications manager for an international research project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and prior to that she was the communications coordinator for Illinois’ Coordinated Science Laboratory. She earned her master’s degree in mass communications and journalism and agricultural education from Iowa State University in Ames and her bachelor’s degree in public relations and professional writing from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. 

“I am excited to join the South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences team,” Arp said. “I truly believe midsize schools are the best for undergraduate education, and combining that with a school so dedicated to the land-grant mission and conducting impactful research creates a unique and exciting opportunity.” 

Arp is excited to lead the effort in telling the stories about agriculture education and research at SDSU. “One thing I have already found incredible about the work being done at SDSU is that research happening here can help farmers today and tomorrow. The work being done can make an immediate impact on South Dakota citizens.” 

Despite an adjustment to the temperature extremes of the past few months (“It was -21 the day I interviewed and has been in triple digits several times since then!”), Arp jumped into her storytelling role from day one and is eager to work with faculty, staff and students to lead the communications effort for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. 

“I have already been impressed with SDSU's high caliber of students and research portfolio,” Arp said. “My goal in this role is to highlight all these great stories regionally, but also to work with my colleagues to continue to raise the profile of the college and the university to national and international audiences.”