The Global Teach Ag Network’s Team is composed of faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and volunteers committed to collaboration around empowering educators.
Together, we can do more.
Interested in joining our team? Email globalaged@psu.edu
Faculty and Staff Team Members
Dr. Melanie Miller Foster
Co-Founder
International Development / Global Learning Specialist
Thomas Gabel
GTAN Program Manager
Thomas is the program manager and is responsible for intern supervision duties.
tsg5162@psu.edu
Mr. Brad Kinsinger
Affiliate Faculty Member
Mr. Brad Kinsinger is the community college coordinator/specialist.
bradley.kinsinger@kirkwood.edu
Dr. Hiram Larew
Affiliate Faculty Member
Dr. Hiram Larew has helped develop the GTANcreates program.
poetryxhunger@gmail.com
Dr. OP McCubbins
Affiliate Faculty Member
Dr. OP McCubbins is the immersive technology specialist and member of the World Food Prize Foundation Global guides Program Facilitation Team.
am4942@msstate.edu
Dr. Tobin Redwine
Affiliate Faculty Member
Dr. Tobin Redwine is the leadership/communications specialist and member of the World Food Prize Foundation Global guides Program Facilitation Team.
tredwine@vivayic.com
Dr. Laura Rice
Affiliate Faculty Member
Dr. Laura Rice is the research and scholarship program manager and is a member of the College of Food, Ag and Natural Sciences at University of Minnesota.
rice0403@umn.edu
Dr. Priya Sharma
Affiliate Faculty Member
Dr. Priya Sharma is the digital communities of practice research specialist and is a member of the College of Education at Penn State.
psharma@psu.edu
Dr. Kasee Smith
Affiliate Faculty Member
Kasee Smith is a research team member and a member of the World Food Prize Foundation GOALs facilitation team.
Olivia Murphy-Sweet
Curriculum & Gender Specialist
Olivia Murphy-Sweet is the Curriculum and Gender Specialist and a member of the World Food Prize Foundation GOALs Program Facilitation Team.
Action Team Leaders
Graduate Associates
Jose Sandoval
Social Media Research Analyst
- Jose is GTAN’s social media research analyst.
- Jose is a Ph.D. candidate in learning, design, and technology.
- Jose loves to spend time with his 6-year-old son.
Megan Pietruszewski Norman
Communications Specialist
- Megan’s primary responsibility with GTAN is to assist with communications.
- Megan is a Ph.D. student studying Mass Communication in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State.
- Megan’s main research interests are in science and environmental communications.
Jessica Spence
Communications & Evaluation Specialist
- Jessica’s primary duties with GTAN are to help with monitoring, evaluating, and research production for the Global Guides program and Teach Ag Uganda.
- Jessica is employed at Virginia Tech as an ICTAS Research Scholar and Doctoral Student
Karen Lopez Olmedo
Coordination Specialist
- Karen’s primary duties with GTAN are to coordinate GTAN en español programming, translates existing resources to promote accessibility, and assists with a variety of GTAN projects.
- Karen is is a co-founder of the Organization: Indigenous Peoples of Oaxaca, which since 2018 has aimed to rescue, preserve, and promote the cultural heritage of their state.
Mia Chantelle Sullivan
Teacher in Residence and Graduate Assistant
- GOALS Cohort Lead Instructor
- Previously taught 8-12 agricultural educator and FFA advisor for 9 years in Tennessee
- WFPF GLobal Guide Educator Cohort 3 Alumni
Interns
Amaya Lopez
2021 – Present
- Amaya’s primary responsibility with GTAN is to assist with communications.
- Amaya is a junior studying Criminology and Sociology.
- Amaya grew up in Santa Monica, California.
Abigail O’Neill
2023 – Present
- Abigail’s primary responsibility is to promote the Global Teach Ag Network through communications and social media.
- Abigail is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in International Agriculture
- Abigail enjoys working in youth development and hopes to utilize her experiences with agricultural education to develop future leaders.
Emilee Xayanourom
2023 – Present
- Emilee is one of our first interns from the University of Minnesota.
- Emilee is a senior at the University of Minnesota studying Agricultural Education with a minor in Racial Justice in Urban Schooling.
- Emilee hopes to teach in an urban school and show students opportunities that are in the agricultural industry.
Amara Livingston
2023 – Present
- Amara’s primary responsibilities include assisting with Minnesota Food Security Education Research.
- Amara is an undergraduate student studying Agricultural Education .
- Amara works for the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council as an Ag Ed Intern and at Snapology as a teacher focusing on STEAM lessons using legos.
Makenna DeWitt
2023 – Present
- We are excited to bring Makenna on as the newest member of the GTAN team!
- MaKenna is a junior at the University of Idaho studying Agricultural and Extension Education
- MaKenna is excited to introduce International Agriculture into her future classroom.
Grace Bomgardner
2023 – Present
- Grace’s primary responsibly is to aid in the Growers of Today and Tomorrow (GTT) Program.
- Grace is a freshman majoring in Agriculture Extension and Education.
- Grace is excited to advance agriculture and community relationships through the GTAN community!
Sarah Beaver
2023 – Present
- Sarah works on a variety of projects such as GTANjr badges and rescores related to the Global Youth Institute along with other projects in the GTAN Community.
- Sarah is a freshman majoring in Agriculture Extension and Education
- Sarah values Global Agriculture and is excited to connect with others through the GTAN community.
Rena Johnson
2023 – Present
- We are excited to bring Rena Johnson as a member of the GTAN team!
- Rena is a junior majoring in Agriculture Education at the University of Minnesota
- Rena has a twin brother
joh20133@umn.edu
Team in Action Photos
