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Story by Gabi Joos

When Erica Summerfield talks about the growth of South Dakota State University’s agricultural communication program, one word keeps coming up: opportunity.

That opportunity has reached a new level with the establishment of the Karen D. Stuck Endowment. On Sept. 25, during a special endowment ceremony, Summerfield, a second-year assistant professor, became the first-ever Karen D. Stuck Endowed Professor of Agricultural Communication.

“This is the first time someone has specifically invested a large amount of funds to support the longevity of agricultural communication at SDSU,” Summerfield said. “What’s exciting is that the endowment stays with the position, so regardless of who’s here in the future, there will always be funding to advance agricultural communication for years to come.”

The endowment, gifted by SDSU alumna Karen D. Stuck, provides sustainable support for research, student recruitment, technology and professional development. It ensures the agricultural communication major remains a strong, permanent part of both the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Summerfield said the impact extends far beyond faculty support.

“I immediately think of students. The endowment opens up almost endless opportunities for research, teaching and outreach,” she said. “There are so many experiences agricultural communication students haven’t had access to in the past. This endowment allows us to fund those opportunities, whether it’s bringing in guest speakers, supporting undergraduate research or helping students attend professional conferences. It gives us freedom to dream bigger.”

The growing connection between classroom learning and real-world application is central to SDSU’s land-grant mission.

“We can now conduct innovative communication research, integrate new technologies into the classroom and travel to recruit and promote the program across the country,” Summerfield said. “It takes agricultural communication students beyond the South Dakota bubble and connects them with the national conversation.”

That connection is already being felt among students. Opportunity and growth are being seen from the student's perspective as well.

Emma Heiden, a junior agricultural communication major and national president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, said, “We now have the ability to hear from industry professionals and learn industry standard practices without financial barriers holding us back. It’s one less thing to worry about.”

Agricultural communication students have the opportunity to network and connect with their peers beyond the classroom through the club on campus. Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, a national organization for those passionate about communicating agriculture, has become a rapidly growing club at SDSU over the past year.

“We’ve already doubled our membership compared to last year,” Summerfield said. “Having agricultural communication-specific classes helps students find one another, and ACT gives them a place to connect and apply what they’re learning.”

The chapter now boasts two of the five national club officers, Heiden and fellow student agricultural communication student LaKacee Lipp, marking the second consecutive year an SDSU student has served on the national team.

“For a program that a few years ago was still developing, it’s amazing to see our students leading nationally,” Summerfield said. “It shows that even as a smaller program, we’re having a huge impact.”

Students have also watched the academic side of the program evolve. Summerfield introduced SDSU’s first-ever agricultural communication-specific courses, including Principles of Agricultural Communication, giving majors a clear home base within the curriculum of the School of Communication and Journalism.

“Before, we didn’t have any classes that were strictly agricultural communication,” Heiden said. “Now incoming students can see that this is a structured, growing program. It’s exciting to know we’re just at the beginning.”

Lipp agreed. “The introduction of agricultural communication-specific courses has transformed our learning experience,” she said. “It’s not just about theory anymore; we’re applying what we learn in real-world contexts, which makes the curriculum feel more relevant and impactful.”

As a national officer, Heiden hopes her example encourages other students.

“When I first joined ACT, I never imagined running for national office,” she said. “But seeing someone from our program do it made me believe I could, too. I hope other students see that and realize they can as well.”

Lipp expressed that Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow provides her with both professional development and community. She is grateful for the opportunities and people she has gotten to meet in her short time with the organization.

Through their involvement, both students represent SDSU nationally and are helping shape the future of agricultural communication. For Summerfield, the excitement comes not just from current successes but from the future.

“There’s no place but up,” she said. “We’re already seeing sustained growth in our enrollment, sitting between 65 and 75 students, and I expect that number to keep climbing.”

Thanks to the Karen D. Stuck Endowment, the program’s future is brighter than ever. The endowment will give the agricultural communication program at South Dakota State stability to grow, fund student opportunities and innovate curriculum.

Summerfield added, “This gift ensures that agricultural communication will have dedicated support forever. It’s more than an investment in a faculty position; it’s an investment in our students and our industry. We are truly watching something great continue to grow.”
 
What is ACT?

Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow is a collegiate organization developing agricultural communication students through professional development opportunities and national communications contests.

At SDSU:

• Approximately 40 colligate members
• Monthly meetings focus on professional development and networking.
• Attend two national conferences including a professional development conference in January and Ag Media Sumit in July.