With the highest enrollment in 50 years, demand continues to grow for academic programs throughout the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In a world where students want to make a difference, the college’s diverse fields of study resonate with a generation of changemakers committed to making their mark. While world-class majors are the foundation of an ACES education, the total student experience makes ACES the ideal academic home for undergraduate students from across the state, nation, and globe. 

When Associate Dean for Academic Programs Anna Ball arrived on campus in 2019, she spotted an opportunity to build out programming to support holistic student development across four core areas, referred to as pillars: experiential learning, leadership enrichment, global experience, and inclusive intelligence. 

“This past fall, we were named a top 10 agriculture school, and what sets us apart is this value-added experience predicated on those four pillars,” Ball said.  

Experiential Learning 

Ball’s vision is for every student to graduate with hands-on experiences. The goal is for each department to offer experiential learning opportunities that build three core competencies: problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. 

The Office of Academic Programs received a grant from the USDA to train faculty on curriculum development for these real-world, high-impact courses. 

“At the end of the day, true career development is in these authentic experiences with future employers,” Ball said. “We have a number of faculty who already teach courses like this, but we’re actively expanding this experiential learning space and equipping faculty with the tools to develop and create courses where students are engaging in authentic ways with external clients.” 

Leadership Enrichment

The college offers a leadership studies minor — covering leadership theories and their applications — open to all undergraduate students. Currently, 131 students are enrolled. 

“The leadership minor complements the content knowledge in their major by equipping students with the essential interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills that employers seek in students from ALL majors and career pathways,” said Jenn Smist, a teaching assistant professor and coordinator for the minor in leadership studies. “Through in-person and online classes, students practice leadership behaviors, collaboration, ethical leadership principles, and cultural competencies.”

In the fall of 2021, the college reenvisioned its prestigious Jonathan Baldwin Turner (JBT) Scholar program to become a leadership-driven, value-added experience for high-achieving students across the college. The competitive program accepts about 30 students each year but receives three times as many applicants. 

Students are selected based on their ability to sustain a GPA of 3.4 or higher over the course of three years, commitment to an ACES field of study and the land-grant mission, and demonstration of values and professional behaviors in leadership, communication, integrity, and service. 

JBT Scholars receive $2,500 in years one and two and $3,000 in year three, as well as opportunities to collaborate with their JBT peers and to be mentored by alumni and friends of the college. 

“Revitalizing the Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholars program represents a transformative step in enriching our undergraduate experience,” Ball said. “This program is a cornerstone of our leadership enrichment pillar, empowering students to develop the skills and vision to become the next generation of leaders. By fostering a community of scholars dedicated to excellence, we are investing in a brighter future for both our students and the world they will shape.” 

Global Engagement

Global engagement experiences, abroad and on campus, abound in ACES. 

With approximately 50 ACES-led programs available, every student can find something that aligns with their interests and goals. A third of ACES students participate in study abroad as part of their undergraduate experience. 

This was the first year that the International Business Immersion Program — led by Meredith Blumenthal, director of the food and agribusiness management program in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics — joined the college’s collection of Illinois Global Classroom courses that connect students in different countries to work on collaborative projects. 

Other recent examples of Global Classroom projects include agricultural and biological engineering professor Luis Rodriguez partnering with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez on engineering for disaster resilience; animal sciences professor Matthew Wheeler and visiting research specialist Crystal C. Allen working with the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, on bovine assisted reproductive technologies; and human development and family studies senior instructor Jan Brooks teaming up with the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, to design developmentally and contextually appropriate programming for pediatric and youth projects near Cape Town. 

In addition, undergraduate students eager to engage in international research have numerous opportunities — even without the need to travel off campus — through the Global Food Security Interns program provided by the college’s Office of International Programs.

Inclusive Intelligence

Inclusive intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and value diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and empowered to contribute. 

“We are dedicated to enriching our undergraduate student experience in ACES by establishing a pillar of inclusive intelligence — this goes beyond mere acknowledgment of diversity; it's about actively integrating principles of inclusivity into every aspect of our curriculum and campus culture,” Ball said. “By doing so, we empower our students to understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and embody these principles in their daily lives and future endeavors. Through education, dialogue, and action, we're fostering a community where every voice is valued and respected." 

Associate Dean Elizabeth Olson is now on board to head the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of ACES, and help grow this pillar. “Preparing students to succeed in the workforce means preparing them to engage in a culturally diverse society, and teaching them how to meaningfully connect with people who may experience the world differently from them,” Olson said. “Graduating from ACES with inclusive intelligence will set our students on the path towards career success and leadership.” 

Faculty across the college have worked to integrate this knowledge into the curriculum for all ACES students. Upcoming seminars and trainings will also focus on increasing inclusive intelligence for all members of the college. 

ACES is also home to a nationally recognized chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), a student organization that is “dedicated to supporting academic and professional endeavors that will always foster and promote the agricultural sciences and related fields in a positive manner among ethnic minorities.” 

Comprehensive Framework

Today, Ball is laying the foundation for a comprehensive framework for the undergraduate student experience where students thrive across these four pillars. But for Ball, success is rooted in “measurable competencies.” 

“Currently, we're laying the foundation and building the infrastructure for this transformative vision,” Ball concluded. “Eventually, we want to assess these competencies before students come to ACES and again upon graduation to quantify their development and the value we've added to their journey. We’re creating a roadmap to intentional growth and enrichment, shaping well-rounded graduates who are ready to excel in a diverse and dynamic world."