Terry Powelson has been appointed to the Agricultural Education Advisory Committee at Kansas State University — his efforts guided toward helping community college students make an easy transition.
According to Steven Harbstreit, the coordinator of agricultural education at K-State, nearly 60 percent of the students in the university’s agriculture programs have transferred from a community college. He said it is for this reason it is important for someone like Powelson to be appointed to the board.
“We work hard to maintain paperwork and keep in touch with advisers,” Harbstreit said. “It’s critical to have good relationships with the community colleges.”
Powelson, an agriculture instructor, is the first person to be appointed to the committee from Allen Community College. Harbstreit said he has known Powelson for 25 years, which made him a good candidate for the seat.
The committee is composed of 20 members, including high school teachers, community college instructors, superintendents, and agriculture extension agents. The main function of the committee is to decide which changes to make regarding course curriculums in the university.
Powelson said K-State has “not been very flexible” when considering transfer courses from community colleges. He hopes he can work with the committee members to make it possible to expand the number of accepted courses.
“It is difficult as a community college to ask the university to do something,” Powelson said. “Maybe it will help having us (community college instructors) on the board.”
Already, Powelson said the committee has managed to have one elective selected as a transferable course for community colleges. Before, there were no electives selected — the accepted courses were very strict and specific.
“We can help our students at Allen, help them make a seamless transfer,” Powelson said.
The committee meets at least once per year, Harbstreit said, and will meet more if additional discussion and decisions are required.
Powelson appointed to K-State ag committee
