Shannon Hajdik, Texas A&M University
Mike Huddleston, Texas A&M University
Kelli C. Phelan, Texas A&M University
Kristen Zander, Texas A&M University
Kim E. Dooley, Texas A&M University
A review of a graduate program of an Agricultural Education Department at a land grant university was conducted. One problem that ensued was that no apparent linkage exists between graduate student research interests, faculty research agendas, and Departmental critical contextual applications. The researchers conducted a qualitative study to explore the relationships among and within these entities to identify reasons for the disjoint, and to suggest solutions. The researchers conducted face-to-face and focus group interviews and collected data from journal articles written by faculty and students within the department. The researchers found that faculty collaborate with each other fairly well on research, but their efforts were focused on teaching. However, their research agendas do align with their respective contextual applications. The disjoint occurs between faculty research agendas and student interests. Students do not appear to consistently align with faculty who share their interests. Also, faculty members do not fully utilize students in their research projects. Faculty feel that students have the responsibility to initiate the collaborative relationship, and students understand that they must take this initiative if they are to become involved in a faculty member’s research. Considering the findings of this study, the researchers recommend several strategies to improve research within the Department. The Department should strive to create a formal system of communications to inform students about research opportunities through orientation, research seminars, and an updated Departmental website. The position of Graduate Research Assistant should be created with separate responsibilities than that of Graduate Teaching Assistants. A mentoring program should also be established to build relationships between faculty and students. By following the strategies developed through this study, the Department should be able to increase the quality of its research output and scholarship.