Division of Applied Social Sciences

Sep. 22, 2020

John Tummons Receives 2020 NAAE Region IV Outstanding Service Citation

John Tummons, assistant agricultural education and leadership teaching professor, received the 2020 Region IV Outstanding Service Citation from the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) earlier this summer. The award, sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox, recognizes those who have provided services to agricultural educators, agricultural programs or agricultural student organizations and have attained leadership in professional organizations.

Sep. 22, 2020

Michael Cook Receives Best Paper Award for Co-Authored Study

Michael Cook, agricultural and applied economics professor and Partridge Chair of Cooperative Leadership, co-authored a study that received a Best Paper, Strategy Division award at the Academy of Management 2020 annual meeting in August. The paper, titled “From Instrumental to Normative Relational Strategies: A Study of Open Buyer-Supplier Relations,” takes a case study approach to examine the open vertical and horizontal relational strategy used by Natura, a company in the cosmetic industry.

June 2, 2020

Harvey James Receives Richard P. Haynes Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture, Food, and Human Values

Harvey James, professor of agricultural and applied economics, and associate director in the Division of Applied Social Sciences, was recently honored with the 2020 Richard P. Haynes Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture, Food, and Human Values from the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society (AFHVS). The award honors persons, who in their careers, have made outstanding contributions towards realizing the goals of the AFHVS through research, teaching, extension, public service or public policy. Nominations highlighted the impact of James’ research about fairness, trust, conflict, democratic governance and morality and his courses that focus on the ethical dimensions of agriculture…

May 12, 2020

Jason Entsminger Receives Catalyst Award

Jason Entsminger, a PhD student in the Division of Applied Social Sciences (Managerial, Behavioral & Organizational Economics), recently received the Catalyst Award from the Mizzou LGBTQ Resource Center. Entsminger is an active leader in Students for Cultivating Change at Mizzou. Established in 1998, Catalyst Awards is an annual event aimed at bringing together LGBTQ activists, volunteers, students and community members. Any group, individual or event may be nominated for a Catalyst Award, which is reviewed by a committee overseen by the LGBTQ Resource Center Coordinator.

Feb. 7, 2020

Alan Spell

Alan Spell is an Assistant Extension Professor within the Division of Applied Social Sciences. He specializes in economic and industry research for MU Extension’s Exceed program. Spell’s work includes publishing the monthly Missouri Economy Indicator briefs, conducting broadband studies and industry economic impact analyses, and providing data training. Prior to 2020, Spell led the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). He and his staff provided economic and workforce analysis to policymakers and the public. Spell is a certified Economic Research Professional and holds degrees in economics and landscape architecture. He has worked in economic development research for over 25…

Sep. 18, 2019

Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) Celebrates its 35th Anniversary

This year, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) celebrates its 35th anniversary. With its more than 20 contributing faculty, staff and students, FAPRI works with Congress to shape U.S. farm policy. It provides objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies and uses economic models to estimate how those policies affect consumers and markets. Access more information about the institute and its work at fapri.missouri.edu.

July 16, 2019

Mallory Lynn Rahe

Mallory Rahe is an associate extension professor at the University of Missouri. She approaches her work in the area of regional and agricultural economic development with an emphasis on assisting producers or stakeholders that are engaging in on-farm investments or considering public investment options. She provides applied research, data analysis and trends, and supports strategic decision making. She has worked on a variety of value-added industry studies, studied farmers market vendor sales and retention, rural population migration and retention, and implemented a regional rural wealth creation program. Her research is often undertaken collaboratively with partner organizations. Educational background Ph.D. University…

Jan. 31, 2019

Rebecca Mott

Educational background Ph.D. Agricultural Education, University of Missouri, 2019 M.S. Agricultural Education, University of Missouri, 2013…

Nov. 7, 2018

Pat Westhoff Named to Howard Cowden Professorship

Pat Westhoff has been named as the newest holder of the Howard Cowden Professorship. Dr. Westhoff is a professor of agricultural and applied economics, and the director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at MU. His contribution to agricultural policy is critical to agricultural cooperatives and their member-owners in Missouri and across the nation. Dr. Westhoff and his FAPRI colleagues also work regularly with congressional staffers and USDA leaders to evaluate proposed agricultural legislation intended to provide farmers with a solid economic footing. The professorship is named for Howard Cowden, a southwest Missouri native who started his cooperative career with…

July 12, 2018

Jon Simonsen Earns Golden Apple Award

Students selected to be a part of the Litton Leadership Scholars cohort engage in a yearlong seminar course centered on leadership and impactful change. The students have the opportunity learn from Jon Simonsen, a stellar leader. “Simo,” as Simonsen’s students affectionately refer to him, was surprised with a Golden Apple Award from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources during a trip to Chillicothe, Missouri, on April 26, where members of the cohort meet with the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation. Simonsen’s wife Michelle, along with colleague John Tummons and former professor from The Ohio State University, Robert Birkenholz, were there to watch a surprised Simonsen receive the award. Simonsen is an associate professor, chair and leads the graduate studies program for agricultural leadership, communication and education. He also serves as…