UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Tracy Hoover, associate professor in Penn State's department of agricultural and extension education, has been named head of the department, effective Oct. 1. Hoover has been serving as interim department head since July 2004.

"Tracy Hoover brings to this position more than two decades of experience and leadership in agricultural education," says Robert Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. "Her research on teaching and learning styles, her interest in youth development and her knowledge of the land-grant system make her uniquely qualified to lead the department."

Hoover received her bachelor's degree in animal science from Delaware Valley College in 1982. She earned her master's degree in animal science in 1983 and doctorate in agricultural education in 1990, both from Penn State.

A member of the Penn State faculty since 2001, Hoover has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, advised students, supervised interns in teacher and leadership education, and coordinated the New and Beginning Teacher Program in Agricultural Education. Her research has focused on youth leadership development and teaching and learning.

From 1993 to 2001, Hoover was a faculty member in the department of agricultural education and communication at the University of Florida. She was an assistant professor in agricultural and extension education at Penn State from 1990 to 1992. Previously, she served as an agricultural science teacher at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pa.

Hoover has authored or co-authored nearly 40 articles in refereed academic journals, 44 refereed proceedings and presentations, and more than 25 other publications. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Association for Agricultural Education and the Association of Leadership Educators.

Hoover will oversee a department with about 35 faculty and staff, 125 undergraduate students and 40 graduate students.

The department of agricultural and extension education aims to prepare formal and nonformal educators in agricultural education, extension education including 4-H, international agriculture, youth and family development, youth civic development, and community leadership and public problem solving.

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