Growing up on a farm in Central Tennessee, Lee Ivy was always involved in farming. A senior lecturer in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ivy has now been promoted to NC State University Agricultural Institute (AGI).
Ivy, who holds a master’s degree in AC, brings a lot of experience to lead AGI. AGI students can earn a bachelor’s degree in applied science in six academic programs, from agricultural business administration to landscape technology.
“I wanted to be a real person. I wanted to make an impact. ”
Before Ivy came to NC State, he was a professor at Sandhill Community College.
“After 20 years of working with fellow degree students, I feel that I understand what they want and need,” Ivy said. He said two-year-olds want a course in which they can get their hands dirty and try to prepare for a career in agriculture or related industries.
It is really fun to conduct a program that focuses on this. North Carolina is very diverse in agriculture. There are so many different things we do and do in agriculture in this state and it’s an honor to be a part of that, ”says Ivy.
“The college accepts this important leadership role with AGI. AGI is the largest and most comprehensive two-year agricultural degree program in the country. Lee has the perfect set of skills and love for the AGI program, and I expect it will take us to the next level, ”said Dean Richard Linton.
And because he is the son of an agricultural educator, Ivy has always had respect for those in the industry, especially teachers and extension agents.
My father taught for a few years, during which time he introduced me to extension agents or other teachers. I started thinking about what I was going to do with my life and wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make an impact. ”
He became a teacher like his father Ivy.
My professors in NC State taught me how to take care of students. They taught me how to push students and expect a level of commitment from them, but also to be compassionate. They taught me to love this industry, ”says Ivy. And he never looked back.
Lee’s focus on student success and his strong connection to the industry serves our students well.
Ivy already has a close relationship with AGI and its students in the role of AGI coordinator in gardening science management. One of the things he expects to establish as the new director of AGI is student training.
We already have compulsory work experience, but I want to partner with a variety of companies that sign up to support students throughout their education. Students, in turn, sign up to work for a while, ”says Ivy. He says he has had informal conversations with some of the most interested people in the gardening industry.
“Lee’s student achievement and strong bond with the industry serve our students well,” says John Doll, director of partner dean and academic programs.
In addition to being the new AIG director, Ivy is pursuing a doctorate.
“I’ll cut it short,” he says. It focuses on distance learning and face-to-face learning: skills and abilities are the same and how to transition to industry.
“Are students really more prepared to learn in person or online? Since such a practical science in horticulture and agriculture is my question, can we do well online or not? ”Says Ivy.