Local student named 2024 Distinguished Senior at Ohio State University

Sherrie R. Whaley
| Progress of the farmers

COLUMBUS – Kiley S. Holbrook of Amanda has been named the 2024 Distinguished Senior at the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

“The Distinguished Senior Award is the most prestigious undergraduate award in CFAES and recognizes the top graduating seniors on the Ohio State Columbus campus,” said Ann Christy, CFAES professor and associate professor for academic programs. “The 23 recipients of the award exemplify CFAES’ mission in areas such as academics and scholarship, research and innovation, service and engagement, and influence and leadership.”

Holbrook is an agricultural communications major in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL). She was nominated by the university’s faculty and staff, who felt she personified the award’s hallmarks of academic, disciplinary and professional excellence.

The first-generation student was on the dean’s list for seven semesters and worked under the guidance of ACEL Associate Professor Annie Specht on what she calls her most valuable learning experience. She volunteered as a researcher on an Ohio State University extension project. She and several undergraduate students analyzed the digital media output of agricultural and natural resources extension teams to determine their communication patterns with stakeholder groups and provide a foundation for a future communications plan.

The Fairfield County native completed three summer internships. Her love of public policy led her to internships as a legislative page at the Ohio House of Representatives, as a policy intern at Ohio Corn & Wheat, and as an intern at the Committee on Agriculture of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC.

Holbrook’s extracurricular activities include service as a member of the Ohio Corn & Wheat’s Collegiate Policy Academy, the John Glenn Civic Leadership Council, a CFAES ambassador and host for the Experience Ohio State for a Day program. She was also a member of the Mount Leadership Society Scholars program and volunteered with The Columbus Dream Center, Garrett Recovery and Amanda Christian Church.

“Kiley was also one of ten U.S. students named to a cohort of the Cargill Global Scholars, a leadership development experience that brings together college students from around the world to discuss and dissect systemic challenges facing our global community,” says Annie Specht, her academic and research advisor. “The topic of food security resonated with Kiley because of her own childhood experiences with scarcity.”

All of these experiences resulted in a renewed sense of self-confidence for Holbrook. “It took me almost four years to realize that I deserve the life I live, not because it was given to me, but because I worked hard to earn it. This is my greatest sense of self-realization,” she said.

After graduation, Holbrook will either attend graduate school or contribute to the agriculture industry through a career focused on agricultural policy advocacy. “My ambition is to secure a position as a policy analyst specializing in international agricultural and trade policy,” she said. “My goal is to eventually obtain a PhD and work in agricultural policy research.”

A reception for the Distinguished Senior Award recipients and their families was held on Thursday, April 4, hosted by Ann Christy and Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean. Meet the 23 outstanding students and learn more about each of them through a YouTube video release at go.osu.edu/CFAES2024DSA.

“Honoring the award winners for their excellence will be a highlight for us this spring. These students have excelled and will certainly continue to flourish in their future careers,” said Christy.

As of fall 2023, there were 2,224 students in CFAES earning Bachelor of Science degrees in 21 majors. Learn more about CFAES academic programs at go.osu.edu/B4V2.

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