Graduating doctoral students take next steps rooted in research, communication, and service

As commencement approaches, doctoral graduates in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education are preparing to embark on the next chapters of their careers. For graduating doctoral students Jessica Spence and Frank Adusei, the transition marks the culmination of years of research, teaching and collaboration — and the beginning of new opportunities to apply those skills in service to communities, food systems and education.

Jessica Spence: From doctoral student to faculty member

Jessica Spence entered her doctoral program with a clear professional aspiration: to become a tenure-track faculty member at a land-grant, R1 institution. That vision, she said, never wavered, but was sharpened and supported through her experience in the department.

“I came into this program with the explicit goal of becoming a tenure-track faculty member,” Spence said. “The support, education, and all of the opportunities I received while in this program are what absolutely prepared me to be able to achieve that goal.”

This fall, Spence will make the uncommon transition from graduate student to colleague, joining the department as an assistant professor of life sciences communication and extension specialist. Her role will carry a split teaching, research, and extension appointment, reflecting the multifaceted training she received during her doctoral program.

A pivotal influence in that preparation was Spence’s ICTAS doctoral fellowship, which emphasized independent research from the outset. Unlike her master’s program, which focused primarily on teaching, the fellowship required her to develop her own research agenda, build partnerships, and guide projects from conception to publication.

“That experience was indispensable,” she said. “Developing research starting in my first year gave me an exposure to what creating a research program looks like.”

Spence also engaged deeply in teaching throughout her time as a doctoral student — serving as a teaching assistant, becoming an instructor of record, and most recently co-teaching a photography course alongside Department Head Dr. Tracy Rutherford. Those experiences, paired with extensive feedback from seasoned faculty, helped her gain experience in the classroom and clarity around her teaching philosophy.

In addition, Spence gained hands-on exposure to Virginia Cooperative Extension, an experience she credits with shaping her extension-focused scholarship. Through grant work and collaborations with extension programs, she developed a vision for supporting extension professionals through communication training — a focus she plans to continue in her faculty role.

As the department prepares to launch its new Life Sciences Communication major, Spence is particularly excited to serve as one of the first faculty members hired specifically for the program.

“This has been an underserved area, and I’ve heard consistent interest from students,” she said. “I’m excited to help prepare communicators who feel confident using their skills to support agriculture and life sciences across the Commonwealth.”

Reflecting on her journey, Spence emphasizes perseverance and collaboration as key lessons for current graduate students.

“The process can be hard and uncertain,” she said. “But if you keep working, stay open to opportunities and don’t give up on yourself, the right fit will happen.”

Frank Adusei: Advancing sustainable food systems through research and communication

For Frank Adusei, earning a doctoral degree represents the continuation of an already global professional path rooted in food security and sustainability. Before coming to Virginia Tech, Frank spent nearly 12 years working in Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture and earned a master’s degree from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

While searching for doctoral programs aligned with his background, Frank was drawn to Virginia Tech not only for its research focus but also for the mentorship and community he found within the department.

“I was looking for an advisor and faculty who really cared,” Frank said. “What I found here was exactly what I was looking for.”

Frank’s doctoral research focuses on sustainable food systems and food security, particularly examining the long-term impacts of land degradation and natural resource exploitation. Drawing from experiences in Ghana, his work explores how environmental practices affect farmers’ ability to grow, access, and trust the food they eat.

“Food security is not just about having enough food,” Frank said. “If you grow your own food, you know where it comes from. Sustainability is about the land, but also about people’s health and future.”

Throughout his time in the program, Frank has published scholarly work while also expanding his perspective on the importance of communicating research beyond academic audiences. He says learning to translate complex research into accessible messages for farmers, communities, and non-specialists has been one of his most valuable takeaways.

“Research is not useful if people cannot understand it,” he said. “I now think more intentionally about how to communicate my work.”

Mentorship played a central role in Frank’s experience. He credits faculty and fellow graduate students for creating a highly collaborative environment — one in which support was always available for those willing to ask.

“This is a department where people genuinely want to help,” he said. “If you reach out, someone will respond.”

As he prepares to graduate, Frank is exploring research-focused positions that allow him to apply his expertise in food systems while continuing to engage with communities. He notes the skills and confidence gained during his doctoral training have prepared him well for his next chapter.

“This department is a very good place to grow yourself academically, professionally, and personally,” he said.

Though their paths differ, Spence and Adusei share a common reflection: doctoral education in the department is as much about people and collaboration as it is about research. As they close one chapter and begin another, both graduates carry forward a commitment to applying their work in ways that serve communities, strengthen communication, and advance food and life sciences — at Virginia Tech and beyond.