alumni spotlight: tiffany dale
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he University of Florida’s Plant City campus launched a communication and leadership development specialization for degreeseeking students in 2014, led by a graduate of the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. After joining the staff at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center just over a year ago, academic program coordinator and lecturer Tiffany Dale has worked to recruit potential students for the University of Florida Plant City campus’ newest academic program. High school seniors from Hillsborough County and all surrounding counties have been the main focus, with the intent that they don’t have to move to Gainesville in order to obtain a UF degree with a specialization in Communication and Leadership Development. “We have three students in the Communications and Leadership Development program this semester,” Dale 16 | FALL 2014
By April Walker said, “and the next three years will make or break the program.” The CLD specialization gets students ready to enter the business world with the communication and leadership skills that will help them in their careers. They will be able to be proficient in areas such as digital media, journalism and human resource development, Dale said. The Plant City Campus has been given a window of allotted time in order to try and build up the program to be successful. Dale said that they recruit yeararound at local job and career fairs as well as at different convention, such as the annual Florida State FFA Convention. “It’s challenging but exciting,” Dale said. “There is great value in having a campus here in Hillsborough County.” Along with the Communication and Leadership Development program, the GCREC offers three other programs, including agricultural education, plant science and geomatics. Students can attend classes or gain credits online.
Having grown up in Plant City, Dale said that the connections she has made over the years have been beneficial to the program. She has been able to keep up personal relationships within the community and maintain industry support through her present and past work history. Dale obtained a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and communication and a master’s in agribusiness. She has worked with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, helped with the hunger crisis campaign ‘HungerU’ and was a freelance writer for “Heartland In The Field” magazine. She has experience with media relations, produce sales and substitute teaching, which introduced her to the teaching aspect of agriculture. Dale said that she is hopeful that the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center’s new CLD specialization will be a success in the area. She said that she is excited to see what the coming years have to offer. “At the end of the day, it’s a group effort with the faculty in Gainesville,” Dale said.