LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech students are leaving the classroom to apply their coursework in the field through the Davis College of Agriculture’s Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement, known as MILE.
The program is taking members on tours across the South Plains, including a stop at Buster’s Cotton Gin in Ropesville, to prepare them for trips to Austin and Washington, D.C.
Program director emphasizes hands-on learning
Lindsey Kennedy is the director of the MILE program.
“Yeah, I’m a big believer in experiential learning,” Kennedy said. “And sometimes, you know, there’s only so much that we can teach within the four walls of a classroom. And when our students get out in the field and they talk to these industry professionals and the farmers and producers that are living this life every day, it really hits home a lot more. And they’re able to apply those things that they’ve been learning in their other classes.”
The program lasts three semesters, developing a pipeline from Texas Tech to an industry of trained leaders who understand the issues affecting agriculture locally and nationally. Fifteen out of 50 students are chosen for a seat in the program.
Training future industry leaders
Kennedy said she hopes the students will be part of creating differences in the agriculture industry.
“They’re moving on to influential positions within our industry,” Kennedy said. “And these are also the people that are going to be your school board members, your community leaders, and helping them understand, you know, the level of service and the value of community. We’re trying to create some well-rounded leaders in the ag industry.”
Kennedy said the program is entirely industry funded.
“That’s something that I think speaks to the level of support and the culture that we have in agriculture, particularly here on the South Plains,” Kennedy said. “They believe in the development of our students to be the future leaders of this industry. And they’ve helped us support this program, provide these cool opportunities for our students.”
Students describe stepping out of their comfort zones
Grayson Downs and Addie Carlson, members of MILE, said the program got them out of their comfort zones. They attribute it to an extensive application process that challenged them to find the “why” in their future careers.
“Like if you’re not going to get the hands-on opportunity and seeing what you, getting actually out there seeing and witnessing and experiencing the situations that we face, but also the blessings we get to have in this industry, then we’re not always going to get to know and learn,” Downs said. “And then if you’re not able to know and learn, how are you able to defend it and how are you able to stand with it every time?”
“I don’t know how to put this, but I guess out of my comfort zone, has pushed me to be a better person essentially, you know, asking better questions,” Carlson said. “They are…we’re kind of all competitive people. When you put competitive people in a group together, they’re going to constantly push each other to be better, spur each other on.”
MILE students are heading to Washington, D.C., and then to Austin for the legislative session, where they will see how state and national policies funnel down to local agriculture.
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