KILEY S. HOLBROOK

 Kiley s. Holbrook 

Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership
Agricultural Communication
Amanda, OH 

Kiley Holbrook is an Agricultural Communication major and first-generation college student from a small farming community in Ohio.

During Kiley’s first ACEL course, she recognized a newfound curiosity. Typically driven to succeed, she rarely found time to ask what she considered idle questions. Fortunately, her instructor, Erica Summerfield, asked her to join Dr. Annie Specht’s research team, where she was encouraged to ask questions. Thanks to them, as an undergraduate research assistant she “found a passion and success in curiosity.” Kiley was part of a team that analyzed the digital media output of Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension teams to establish their patterns of communication with stakeholder groups and set a baseline for a future communications plan. She led the development of presentation materials and represented the team at the CFAES undergraduate research forum, and the North Central Region meeting of the American Association for Agricultural Education (NC-AAAE).

In addition to undergraduate research, Kiley was one of 10 U.S. students named to the Cargill Global Scholar program, a leadership development experience for university students from around the world who meet to discuss systemic challenges facing our global community. Her love of public policy led to three internships: as a legislative page with the Ohio House of Representatives, as a policy intern with Ohio Corn and Wheat, and as an intern with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. As a legislative page for the Ohio House, she conducted research for legislation, greeted guests for House leadership and assisted with session preparation. Her work with Ohio Corn and Wheat included promoting, planning, and attending major events like the Ohio Grain Farmer Symposium, Celebration of Ohio Corn and Wheat, Collegiate Policy Academy, and the Ohio FFA State Convention. She collaborated with other staff to facilitate legislative visits on Capitol Hill and visits from state and national government officials. For the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, she attended briefings and stakeholder meetings to gather information regarding Farm Bill priorities. She researched agricultural policies, drafted briefing materials, and wrote speeches for the chairman. She conducted a self-led project, “Exploring Trade Strategies and Market Entry: A Comparative Analysis of Free Trade Agreements and Trade Program Funding for U.S. Wheat Exports to Indonesia.”

Kiley has applied for graduate studies in the ACEL department. Her long-term plan is to pursue a doctorate in agriculture policy research and secure a position as a policy analyst specializing in international agriculture and trade policy.

Service, involvement, and accolades: AgriNaturalist, social media coordinator | CFAES Undergraduate Research Forum, 3rd place | CFAES Ambassador, program co-chair | Mount Leadership Society Year of Service Award | Distinguished Scholar Award | John Glenn Civic Leadership Council Executive Board, recruitment chair and service chair | Ohio Corn & Wheat’s Collegiate Policy Academy | Experience Ohio State for a Day, host | The Columbus Dream Center, volunteer | Garrett Recovery, volunteer | Sweet Corn Festival, attendant | Dean’s List | Amanda Christian Church | CFAES Academic Programs, student assistant receptionist | CFAES Office of Prospective Student Services, student visit coordinator