New Department of Agriculture faculty members Jennifer Earing and Lucas Maxwell are enjoying their first semester of teaching at Illinois State University. Both began their career with ISU in August 2017 and are in their first semester of classes this fall.
Jennifer Earing
Jennifer Earing
Jennifer Earing, Ph.D., graduated with her bachelor’s of science degree from ISU before going on to pursue her master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Earing is now an assistant professor to the Animal Science Program within ISU’s Department of Agriculture. This semester she is serving as the instructor to Introduction to Animal Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology of Livestock and Companion Animals I, and Livestock Breeding. Earing said that the staff has been a great support system in adjusting and helping her with whatever she needs as she adapts to life at ISU. As for the classes she is teaching, she stated that she really enjoys this semester but is especially looking forward to next semester as she begins to fully adjust. She is looking forward to incorporating more research in her classes and getting more involved with her students. Earing also began co-advising the Hoof N’ Horn Club with Cori Malone this semester.
Lucas Maxwell
Lucas Maxwell
Lucas Maxwell, Ph.D., graduated with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees of science from Southern Illinois University and later pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri. Maxwell now serves as an assistant professor of agriculture education at ISU. This semester he is serving at the instructor of Introduction to Agriculture Education, Introduction to Agriculture Education Teacher Licensure, Introduction to Agricultural Communications and Leadership, and Methods and Procedures in Agricultural Education. Maxwell said being at ISU has not been a hard adjustment, but rather a learning curve as it is different from his past university. He talked about how he feels very welcomed by his colleagues and students because they have been great and supportive. Maxwell believes that ISU is an outstanding place to work and it is nice to know that the support is there – from the other instructors to the state of Illinois as a whole. He is enjoying his classes and is appreciative for his students, “They’re taking pity on me when things don’t go to plan. They’re forgiving and very participatory during class.” In addition to teaching, Maxwell also began co-advising CFFA/PAS with Richard Steffen.
Both Earing and Maxwell have been a great addition to the Department of Agriculture and students are enjoying their classes with both instructors. Everyone cannot wait to see what the future has in store for these two outstanding faculty members.
