Aggies share virtual connections

May 19, 2020

Dean’s Message from Interim Dean Kelly Bruns, Ph.D.

CURTIS, Neb. – Graduates and NCTA Aggie students are sharing their stories of college, summer internships and new careers in a virtual way.

Since classes ended in early May, many of us at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis are staying connected with our newest alumni and returning Aggie students through social media and Zoom conversations.

It’s been enjoyable, frankly, to hear and learn about some of the goals and accomplishments of NCTA Aggies.

Check out some the student stories that they share through Zoom interviews and feature news stories at two of our most common platforms:  On Facebook at University of Nebraska-NCTA and on the internet at NCTA.UNL.EDU.

Did you get a chance to see the NCTA virtual awards program and our virtual graduation?  Find both at: https://ncta.unl.edu/2020

Also, at that site are messages we created for each of the graduates in congratulating them on their NCTA careers. There’s much to celebrate with the Class of 2020!

We are sharing the story of NCTA’s successes and our academic programs virtually well throughout the summer.  As prospective students and their families explore college offerings for the fall NCTA offers customized, virtual tours.

Contact Josi at the Dean’s Office to line up a walking tour through Zoom. You can see the campus facilities, talk with an advisor, and check out the residence halls, all in live time. Call 308-367-5200.

Salute to FFA

NCTA is pleased to also participate in recognition of the Nebraska FFA program.

On Thursday and Friday, the Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska FFA will be sharing “The Virtual Nebraska FFA Celebration Days – Challenge Accepted.”

We will be viewing part of these virtual activities along with FFA families, chapter advisors, and many sponsors who enable the annual recognition awards. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 21 and May 22, tune in on the Facebook page at Nebraska-FFA.

Congratulations to all award recipients of FFA proficiency awards, those earning their State FFA Degrees and a special thank you from NCTA to the 2019-2020 FFA Officer Team!

NCTA is sponsor of the Equine Proficiency Award as Equine Management is a unique NCTA program. 

We know how hard students work throughout their FFA careers. NCTA provides opportunities for high school graduates to continue their FFA experience here on campus.

Our Aggie Collegiate FFA and Collegiate 4-H Club is an important aspect for young adults to remain involved in agriculture, personal development and leadership opportunities.

Agricultural Education major

NCTA offers an associate degree in agricultural education, providing hands-on skills opportunities in areas such as agricultural mechanics, agronomy and crops management, livestock and equine, and animal health courses.

Our graduates then go on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to continue their bachelor’s degree as transfer students in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. NCTA currently has ag teachers throughout Nebraska with several more UNL graduates going into high school positions this fall. And, five of our NCTA Aggie Class of 2020 are transitioning into the ALEC program now.

Congratulations to all of our Ag Ed majors and FFA teachers. We look forward to seeing new Aggies from the ranks of FFA chapters on campus this fall!

For details on NCTA academics, see our web site at ncta.unl.edu or call us today at 1-800-3-CURTIS.

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in numerous competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.