Developing a Mentorship Program in Higher Education Institutions

Founder of The Heritage lab and Wikipedian Medhabi as mentor

Higher education institutions are currently tackling a growing number of organizational challenges that have forced departments to evolve their business practices. Administrators faced with the need for more diverse programs must decide whether to develop talent internally or recruit new qualified candidates. Given the great cost of faculty searches and the perceived diminishing availability of talented applicants, it is imperative that administrators understand the value of mentoring relationships to fill openings with qualified candidates. However, formal mentoring programs have been slow to develop in higher education institutions. This new 4-page publication defines mentorship, explains the value of mentorship, and describes how mentoring programs can be established. Written by Jonathan M. Orsini, Matthew P. Benge, and Hannah S. Carter, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc328

Enhancing Motivation through Work Meaningfulness

Work colleagues having a meeting in a conference room. Photo taken on 02-09-17.

Work meaningfulness is described as the amount of significance an employee perceives in their work. Employees who view their work as meaningful demonstrate higher work motivation, performance, and satisfaction than employees who do not. This new 2-page document discusses ways to change the perception of meaningful work. Written by Jarred A. Shellhouse, Hannah S. Carter, and Matt P. Benge, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc330

Using Personality Type Preferences to Enhance Team Work in Extension Programs

Teamwork hand shake.

This three-page fact sheet, the fifth in a series on teaching different personality types, covers the practical ways in which Extension professionals can use the influence of personality type preferences to enhance team dynamics in Extension program development and implementation. This article will cover the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator, True Colors personality type indicator, and the Kirton Adaption Innovation Inventory. Written by J. Brianne Bird, Alexa J. Lamm, and Hannah Carter and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc269

Water Issues in Florida: How Extension Can Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement and Involvement

Figure 1. Florida Water Management Districts.This 6-page fact sheet is a brief description of recent discussions and policies surrounding water management, use, and quality in Florida. The goal of this publication is to provide brief, but clear, information about the trends in policies that can be used by Extension agents to increase educated conversations about water issues. Water in Florida is a contested issue, and Extension agents may be called upon as a source of unbiased information by the public. Having an understanding of important agricultural and natural resources issues in Florida, including water, can help facilitate conversation, raise awareness, and lead to informed decision making. Written by Erica Odera, Alexa Lamm, Tracy Irani, Hannah Carter, and Sebastian Galindo-Gonzalez, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, December 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc151

Developing Strong Teamwork to Support Excellence in Extension Programming

Happy group of finger smileys 2Sometimes differentiating a group from a team is difficult. Is the group of people that you work with truly a team? What benefits are there to being a member of a highly functioning team? In Patrick Lencioni’s iconic book on teamwork, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team , five elements are outlined as necessary for highly functioning teams. These are trust, ability to successfully engage in conflict, commitment to each other and the team, accountability, and focusing on collective results. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Hannah Carter, Amy Harder, and Kevan Lamm, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc143

Reconciling Immigration and Agricultural Labor Concerns for a Sustainable State Economy (WC132)

Strawberry Picker Immigration in Florida is a contested issue, and having an understanding of this issue can help facilitate communication. This 6-page fact sheet provide brief but clear information about the trends in policies that can be used by Extension agents to increase educated conversations around immigration issues. Written by Agricultural Education and Communication, and published by the UF Department of Chandra Bowden, Alexa Lamm, Hannah Carter, Tracy Irani, and Sebastian Galindo, December 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc132

The Establishment of Agricultural Leadership Programs and the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership (WC121)

Wedgworth Leadership Institute iconThe Kellogg Farmers Study Program established agricultural leadership programs in 1965. Today these programs, which are part of the International
Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership, are used around the world to develop leaders for “continued or future service to their
community—rural, agricultural, or otherwise.” This 3-page fact sheet was written by Hannah Carter and Avery Culbertson, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc121

The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WC120)

Wedgworth Leadership Institute iconThe Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) develops and refines the leadership capabilities of leaders involved in Florida agriculture and natural resources. These leaders are prepared to become increasingly involved in forming policies that affect the future of Florida agriculture and natural resources in a direct or indirect manner. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Hannah Carter and Rochelle Strickland, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, October 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc120

Maintaining Professionalism on Facebook: Tips for Extension Agents (WC107)

Facebook has revolutionized the world in which we communicate. In just a few mouse clicks, you can access personal information, pictures, recent conversations, and much more about your Facebook “friends.” With these things in mind, it is important to carefully consider the implications of becoming a Facebook friend. This 4-page fact sheet discusses professionalism and legal considerations for using Facebook as a tool to promote Extension programs. Written by Amy Harder, Hannah S. Carter, and Christy Chiarelli, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc107