Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation

What Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation does

Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) is an academic department within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a public land-grant university established in 1869. ALEC has maintained a focus on agricultural education teacher preparation since 1917 and today operates as Nebraska's sole producer of certified secondary agricultural education teachers. The department delivers a four-option undergraduate major (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication, Leadership, Agricultural Education, and Skilled and Technical Sciences Teaching), three graduate programs (M.S. in Leadership Education, Ph.D. in Human Sciences with Leadership Studies specialization, plus a graduate minor and certificate), and a portfolio of extension and outreach initiatives including NHRI Leadership Mentoring, 25 Career Development Events, Rural Fellows, and the World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute.

Revenue flows through three primary streams: state appropriations and tuition for academic programs (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., certificates), fee-based professional development workshops for agricultural and skilled/technical sciences teachers (priced from $0 to $550 per workshop with optional graduate credit at additional cost), and Nebraska Extension programming. Go-to-market is sales-led academic recruitment coordinated through an Admissions Recruitment Coordinator handling campus visits, high school outreach, and event planning, supplemented by 2+2 and 3+1 transfer pathways with four Nebraska community colleges and out-state faculty locations at Scottsbluff, Concord, and Crofton.

The department operates with approximately 29 personnel — 18 faculty, 4 staff, 5 graduate assistants, and 2 postdoctoral researchers — plus 16 emeriti. It maintains strategic partnerships with Nebraska FFA, the Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association (200 members), the Nebraska Department of Education, and receives financial sponsorship from the Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska FFA Foundation, and Farm Credit Services of America. Recognition includes the 2025 NAEA Outstanding Post Secondary Program of the Year award, a 2024 NAYC Award of Merit for faculty member Matt Kreifels, and 2026 Vice Chancellor's Pinnacle Award for student leadership.

Name

Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation

Legal name

University of Nebraska–Lincoln - Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department

Website

https://alec.unl.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln delivers undergraduate and graduate academic programs plus extension outreach in agricultural leadership, education, and communication, serving students, K-12 educators, and Nebraska's agricultural industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Agricultural Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAFAA

Undergraduate Teacher Education Colleges

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Teacher Training Colleges (Education Schools)

SECONDARYEDAOAOAN

Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Agriculture, Horticulture & Skilled Trades

SECONDARYEDAAAOAE

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

SECONDARYEDAHADAG

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Community & Junior Colleges

Keywords

• Agricultural education teacher preparation
• Leadership education programs
• Agricultural sciences communication
• Professional development educators
• Extension outreach programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate/Graduate Tuition: Public university degree programs funded through state appropriations and student tuition for Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Ph.D., and certificate programs
2. Professional Development Workshops: Fee-based professional development offerings for agricultural and skilled/technical sciences teachers including welding camps, electricity certification, automotive training, mechatronics, and various technical skill workshops. Graduate credit available for additional fees.
3. Extension Services: Extension and outreach programming through Nebraska Extension, including youth leadership development, teaching and learning in non-formal settings, and Career Development Events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ALEC delivers undergraduate and graduate academic programs in agricultural leadership, education, and communication, including a Bachelor of Science major with four options (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication, Leadership, Agricultural Education, and Skilled and Technical Sciences Teaching) plus graduate degrees in leadership education. The department also operates extension outreach programs including NHRI Leadership Mentoring, Nebraska Agricultural Education Career Development Events, the Rural Fellows internship program, and the World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute, alongside fee-based professional development workshops for agricultural and skilled/technical sciences teachers.

Product overview

The Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a comprehensive academic portfolio consisting of four undergraduate major options (AESC, Leadership, Agricultural Education, and Skilled and Technical Sciences Teaching), three graduate degree programs (M.S. Leadership Education, Ph.D. in Human Sciences/Leadership Studies, and graduate certificates/minors), and multiple outreach programs including NHRI Leadership Mentoring, Career Development Events, Rural Fellows, and the Strategic Discussions for Nebraska publication. The programs work together to develop human potential through communication skills, leadership training, and agricultural education preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) Undergraduate Major A four-option undergraduate major preparing students with communication/interpersonal skills, leadership training, and knowledge of technical agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sciences for careers in agribusiness, teaching, communications, and public service.
• Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication (AESC) Option Undergraduate concentration focusing on strategic communication skills for agricultural and environmental sciences, including multimedia storytelling, video production, writing, and graphic design.
• Leadership Option Multidisciplinary undergraduate curriculum focused on interpersonal communication skills, effective leadership within group dynamics, and leadership capabilities for community roles.
• Agricultural Education Option Undergraduate concentration preparing students to become certified secondary education teachers in Agricultural Education (grades 6-12) and extension educators.
• Skilled and Technical Sciences (STS) Teaching Option Undergraduate concentration preparing students to become certified 6th-12th grade educators in areas such as welding, woodworking, electricity, automotive, construction, and technical sciences through a 2+2 transfer program.
• M.S. in Leadership Education Graduate-level master's degree program focused on leadership theory, research, and practice within agricultural and human sciences contexts.
• Ph.D. in Human Sciences with Specialization in Leadership Studies Doctoral program providing advanced research and scholarly training in leadership studies, community leadership development, and related areas.
• Graduate Minor in Leadership Education Graduate-level minor program allowing students to specialize in leadership education alongside their primary field of study.
• Graduate Personal Leadership Certificate Graduate-level certificate program focused on personal leadership development and skill building.
• Agricultural and STS Teacher Professional Development Workshops Fee-based professional development offerings for agricultural and skilled/technical sciences teachers including welding camps, electricity certification, automotive training, mechatronics, Summer Soybean Institute, Ag Teacher Bootcamp, Delta Conference, and other technical skill workshops. Graduate credit available for additional fees.
• NHRI Leadership Mentoring Leadership development program that pairs college student leaders with K-12 student leaders in one-on-one mentoring relationships to grow their ability to positively influence others.
• Nebraska Agricultural Education Career Development Events (CDEs) Statewide competition program hosting 25 CDEs covering technical knowledge and skill areas related to agriculture, food, and natural resources careers.
• Rural Fellows Summer internship program placing university students in Nebraska communities to work alongside residents on local projects while gaining hands-on experience.
• World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute Annual program held in Nebraska that connects students with global food security issues and opportunities to participate in the World Food Prize global symposium.
• Strategic Discussions for Nebraska (SDN) Student-produced publication where AESC senior students interview scientists and write stories highlighting innovative work of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% increase in Nebraska FFA chapters from 2010-2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Nebraska FFA AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALEC is recognized as contributors to Nebraska's Team Ag Ed, maintaining valuable partnerships supporting agricultural education teacher preparation and FFA chapter development across the state.
• Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association (NAEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization of 200 agricultural education instructors. ALEC received NAEA's Outstanding Post Secondary Program of the Year award in 2025.
• Nebraska Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for agricultural education coordination, including support for Matt Kreifels' former role as State Director of Agricultural Education.
• Nebraska College of Technical AgriculturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3+1 transfer program partner where students complete three years at NCTA before transferring to UNL ALEC for final year and student teaching.
• Central Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2+2 transfer program partner offering pathway for students to complete foundational coursework before transferring to ALEC.
• Southeast Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2+2 transfer program partner providing pathway for students to transfer to ALEC's agricultural education program.
• Chadron State CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3+1 transfer program partner where students complete three years before transferring to UNL ALEC for the final year including student teaching.
• Nebraska FFA Alumni and Supporters CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for FFA programs and agricultural education across Nebraska.
• National Center for Next Generation ManufacturingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Central Community College providing professional development in mechatronics, PLCs, and instrumentation with equipment trainers valued up to $5,003.
• NHRI (Nebraska Humane Rental Initiative - implied leadership mentoring)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership mentoring program pairing UNL student leaders with K-12 student leaders. Dr. Lindsay Hastings serves as Research Director.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Texas A&M University - Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications: Direct peer with a nearly identical department name and scope: undergraduate and graduate programs in agricultural leadership, education, and communication at another large land-grant university. Serves a comparable role training ag teachers and ag communicators, with the same teacher-preparation pipeline model.
• Kansas State University - Agricultural Education: Direct peer — neighboring state land-grant agricultural education teacher preparation program serving Kansas FFA and tri-state (NE/KS/CO) Delta Conference partnership that overlaps with ALEC's geographic footprint.
• University of Florida - Agricultural Education and Communication: Direct peer in agricultural education and communication at a major Southern land-grant university with parallel teacher preparation, leadership, and communication tracks serving Florida agricultural education.
• Virginia Tech - Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education: Direct peer agricultural leadership, education, and community education department at a Mid-Atlantic land-grant university with comparable teacher preparation and extension programming.
• North Carolina State University - Agricultural Education: Regional direct peer — major land-grant agricultural education teacher preparation program with similar undergraduate concentrations, graduate offerings, and FFA-aligned extension work, though serving the Southeast rather than the Plains.
• Purdue University - Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication: Direct peer agricultural education, communication, and leadership program at a Big Ten land-grant university with comparable undergraduate concentrations, graduate degrees, and K-12 teacher preparation tracks serving Indiana agricultural education.
• Oklahoma State University - Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership: Direct peer offering agricultural education teacher preparation, agricultural communication, and leadership tracks at another land-grant institution with comparable FFA-adjacent extension programming.
• Iowa State University - Agricultural Education and Studies: Direct peer — another Midwest land-grant agricultural education teacher preparation program serving Iowa FFA and Iowa secondary schools with very similar curriculum structure (communication, leadership, teaching options) and extension-based professional development offerings.
• University of Illinois - Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications: Direct peer with an identically named department at another Midwest land-grant institution, offering parallel teacher preparation, agricultural communication, and leadership programs for Illinois agricultural education and FFA pipelines.

Others

• National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE): Ecosystem peer — the national professional association that agricultural education graduates join and that ALEC partners with; it shapes teacher certification standards, professional development, and policy that materially affects ALEC's program scope and graduate employment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-nebraska-lincoln
• Xx.com/UNL_ALEC
• Facebookfacebook.com/unlalec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation