Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology
Advisor/Mentor
Estepp, Christopher
Committee Member
Mosley, Jacquelyn
Second Committee Member
Rucker, Jill
Keywords
Agricultural Leadership; Employability Skills; Higher Education Value; Labor Market Alignment; Workforce Development
Abstract
This three-article dissertation examined the value proposition of undergraduate Agricultural Leadership programs by investigating faculty perspectives, labor-market alignment, and the development of student interest. Article 1 used a modified Delphi method to identify faculty consensus regarding the purpose, career outcomes, and core employability skills associated with Agricultural Leadership degrees. Article 2 extended these outcomes through analyzing job postings to measure the alignment between faculty-identified skills and outcomes and the competencies employers seek in relevant labor markets. Article 3 evaluated whether a short-term leadership intervention in a college of agriculture course influenced students’ leadership conceptions, leadership self-efficacy, and interest in pursuing Agricultural Leadership coursework, a minor, or a major. Collectively, the three studies provide an evidence-based foundation for strengthening the disciplinary identity, labor-market relevance, and student-facing value proposition of Agricultural Leadership programs.
Citation
Martin, E. M. (2026). Srengthening the Value Proposition of an Agricultural Leadership Degree: a Multi-method Examination of Purpose, Labor Market Relevance, and Cultivating Student Interest. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6212
