Dr. Jeff Savell
Vice Chancellor and Dean
Dr. Patricia Klein
Executive Associate Dean
Dr. Mary Bryk
Associate Dean - Academic Operations
Dr. Cathy Ross
Associate Dean -Faculty Affairs
Dr. Chris Skaggs
Associate Dean - Student Development
Dr. Jenna Kurten
Associate Dean - Student Success
Dr. Craig Coates
Associate Dean - Programmatic Success
Total students at Texas A&M University Fall 2025:
74,427
# of undergrad and grad students in the College of AGLS
8,740 undergrad
1,337 grad
Money Magazine ranks TAMU 1st Nationally in:
"Great schools you can actually get into"
Fiske Guide to Colleges ranks TAMU 1st among national public universities for:
A superior education at an affordable cost
Experiential learning:
-825 undergrad students participate in research
-2,400 students completed internships
-675 students study-abroad in 48 diff countries
Morrill Act of 1862
-established land grant colleges
-TAMU is a land grant college founded in 1876
Hatch Act of 1887
established experiment stations (research) at land grant colleges
Smith-Lever Act of 1914
-established Extension Service (outreach) to provide info to the public; known today as Texas AgriLife Extension
University wide scholarship application:
opened: 10/15/25
deadline: 02/02/2026
What do you need to be eligible for an Aggie Ring?
-90 completed undergrad hours with 45 resident hours at TAMU
-2.0 cumulative GPA
Pre registration for Spring 2026:
11/6 - 11/19
How to calculate GPR:
Total grade points/ total number of graded hours
Who discussed resume building with us?
Spencer Pepper
You should always include the following sections on your resume:
education & experiences
Objective statement on resume is:
NOT required but recommended
What kind of verbs do you use when describing your experiences/accomplishments on your resume?
ACTION verbs
Quantify experiences in bullets (ie: hours per week worked, # of people served, etc)
-effective bullets = action verb + quantified
-3 to 5 bullets recommended per activity/experience
Arrange categories/sections in order of RELEVANCE, presenting your most marketable info first:
-list activities in reverse chronological order
List your most recent:
-education first
-work backwards from there
If you list a foreign language, then:
-List the level of fluency (basic, conversational, fluent)
If you give a cell phone number on your resume:
-your voicemail must be professional
-recruiters want your name on the voicemail response
-do not answer the phone if you are driving, busy, or in a noisy place
Print size on resume should be _____ and always ___ colored font.
- 10 point to 12 point font
-black
Resume should be a maximum of:
one page
Margins should be set at ____ or greater on all sides.
0.5"
Print resume on ___ paper that can be copied and NOT on ____ paper.
-good
-colored
Resume DONT'S:
-using pronouns
-including references without request
-making misinterpretations
-cluttering your resume with nonessential info
-including personal info (SSN, age, gender, height, weight, photographs, etc)
What should you use for instant resume feedback?
vmock
Successful students:
-attend class regularly
-stay up to date with their coursework
-read the textbook before going to class
-are organized
Unless you are earning 100%:
-no options are off the table
-remain open and try new strategies
What should a 5 days study plan before a test look like to remove stress from studying?
-study aprox 2 hours each night
-start with OLDEST material first
-tackle the most difficult courses/subjects you like least in your study sessions
Rule of thumb (for studying):
For every hour in class, 2-3 hours outside of class should be spent studying.
____ of time spent studying is more important than _____.
-QUALITY
-QUANTITY
Active learning strategies:
-develop study guides
-concept maps
-word cards
-question cards
-formula cards
-problem cards
-self-tests
-plan essay questions
-remark text/book material (know that "Happy Highlighter" syndrome is not an active learning strategy)
Academic Success Center options:
-workshops
-academic coaching
-supplemental instruction
-tutoring
-transfer student programs
Aggie Schedule Builder:
-tool used for Registration and building classes (in Howdy)
-can "lock-in" classes you like
Registration Information:
-pre-reg times assigned based on total earned hours
-you may be eligible for priority registration under certain circumstances (student workers, student athlete, honors, disabilities)
-your pre-reg time assignment will be available on your My Profile tab in your Howdy Portal
Steps to complete after checking your registration time:
-make a trial schedule, approve with advisor
-check section restrictions
-check pre req or co-req errors
-complete lab safety acknowledgement
-complete terms of use
-complete locations update
-check your holds
Student should check:
degree evaluation
____ resident hours must be completed at TAMU to be eligible for an Aggie Ring
45
What is a pre-req?
A specific course or courses that must be taken before another course
Academic probation:
-a student's term GPA average is less than 2.00
-a student's cumulative GPA average is less than 2.00
-the cumulative GPA in the student's major field of study is below 2.00
-the student is not meeting college and/or major course of study grade point requirements
ANRP stands for:
Agricultural & Natural Resources Policy Internship Program
ANRP is designed specifically for____ students.
COALS
What is required to do an internship?
-2.25 GPR
-US citizenship
-health insurance
ANRP locations:
-Washington, D.C
-Austin, TX
-Rome, Italy
Washington, D.C. internships:
-14 to 15 interns per semester
-work for senators, representatives, or agricultural agencies
-free housing
ANRP interview process:
-one interview
-background
-policy oriented
Credit ranges from ____ hours, depends on the department.
1-6
Internships are the length of __ ______ at Texas A&M.
-the semester
Austin internships are during the ____ of ___ numbered years.
-SPRING
-ODD
Rome, Italy internship is with:
the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
What do you have to be to participate?
undergrad or grad student
Can you participate in the semester following graduation?
YES
Internships discussed:
-ANRP (Capitol Hill - Ronnie Jackson, Monica De La Cruz)
-Mountaire (Poultry industry - HR/Benefits)
-Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association Convention
-San Antonio Market Barrow Internship
-Heart of Texas Stock Show - Heifer Show
-Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (Hiefer, sheep, poultyr, drug testing)
-State Fair of Texas - poultry stock show
-Beefmaster Breeders United - Junior national show
-Texas 4-H - Summer / roundup intern
Important advice to know:
-creating relationships is incredibly important
-say YES to every opportunity
-do not be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone
-embrace change (your goals may shift over time)
-your "direction" of life will change as you gain experience
-it is your responsibility to build connections during internships
-relationships will open doors for you
It is not ____ you know, but ___ you know.
-WHAT
-WHO
Who was the guest speaker for personal branding?
Allison Burenheide
___ is a human health and animal health company.
Merck
In ____ Merck purchased Allflex.
2019
Merck has focused on purchasing technology to expand their brand instead of:
just focusing on medicine
What is the biggest saying in branding?
"Branding is what people say about you when you are not in the room."
___ branding is a valuable assest that empowers individuals, helping to control their own narrative.
PERSONAL
Without ____ branding, others may define your brand for you.
INTENTIONAL
Building a personal brand clarifies your ___ and amplifies your ___.
-"why"
-unique strengths and values
How can you increase confidence and reduce imposter syndrome?
Fostering authenticity.
Find people who can help spread a ____ brand image of you.
POSITIVE
A strong brand attracts:
-opportunities
-and aligns with career goals
Branding allows for:
better career control, providing leverage in negotations and professional development.
Some steps to develop your brand:
-identify your "brand idea" by clarifying your strengths, values, and core motivations
-package yourself by evaluating your current image versus how you wish to be perceived
-prove your value thru stroytelling and networking with advocates who can amplify your brand
Tips for brandinf success:
-own your authenticiy and evolve your brand as you grow
-build a LinkedIn profile, seek mentorship, and network with sponsors and advocates
Who was the guest speaker for Money Management?
Nick Kilmer
According to the American Physiological Association, _____ is the number one stressor for indivuals.
MONEY
Your budget should have the following requirements:
-understandable to you, easy, quick, does not eliminate all fun, right for you, flexibility, and discipline
Budget methods:
- 50-30-20 method
-envelope method
Different types of debt methods:
-snowball vs avalanche
-snowball: smallest balance first; interst rates don't matter; quick wins
-avalanche: pay highest interest rate; balances don't matter
What does credit influence?
-loan approvals
-interest rates
-employment
-insurance premiums
-apartment rental
Sources of income:
-financial aid
-work
-family
-college fund
What is a co-borrower?
names appear on loan documents, legally obligated to repay.
What is an authorized user?
15 years or older with permission to use credit card, NOT legally responsible for paying the bill
Financial planning program is:
opportunity to learn about money in the classroom while earning credit (AGLS 335; AGLS 235)
What do you need for a financial planning minor (not classes)?
-minimum 2.5 GPA
-18 credit hours
What are some examples of fixed expenses?
-rent
-cable/internet
-car payment
-insurance
-savings/emergency fund
What are some examples of variable expenses?
-entertainment
-food/dining out
-haircuts/styling
-clothing
Consumer spending represents ___ of gross domestic product.
68%
Who was the guest speaker for graduate studies?
Dr. David Reed
How to differentiate yourself from others with your degree?
-grad school degree
-internships
-experiences
If I had a Masters degree, I would receive a ___ increase in pay compared to a Bachelors alone.
16%
What is the first question Dr. Reed asks when students come to him about grad school? And the second?
1. What do you want to be doing 5 to 10 years from now?
2. Do you need a graduate dergee to get there?
According to Dr. Reed, what does being "grown up" mean?
when you are responsible for more than yourself
According to Dr. Reed, at what age do you become a "grown up"?
30 years old
What does it take to be admitted into grad school?
-standardized test (ex: GRE)
-GPR generally above 3.0
-letters
-clear career objectives/interests
-some kind of experiential learning
What are the 3 major degrees?
-Bachelors of Science/Art
-Masters
-Doctorate (PhD)
What is the bottom of the Education Pyramid?
Bachelors
What is the middle of the Educational Pyramid?
Masters
What is the top of the Educaitonal Pyramid?
Doctorate
How much does it cost to get a grad degree?
It can be very expensive unless you serve as a grad teaching assistant or grad research assistant.
$ ____ of scholarships are awarded annually by Texas A&M.
1.5 million
Why go abroad?
4 reasons:
-explore
-experience
-extend
-excel
What are the study abroad options?
-TAMU credit
-transfer credit
-non credit
How long does study abroad typically last?
Anywhere from a field trip (5 days) to an entire semester.
Does study abroad delay graduation?
NO
Possible types of AGLS programs mentioned:
-faculty led
-exchange
-field trip/ student group
-affiliate providers
Daniel Putnam
Program Coordinator II - International Programs
____ is where you enroll in another university abroad.
EXCHANGE
Exchanges provided include:
-France - Lyon, France
-Australia - Brisbane, Australia
Affiliate opportunities provided:
Thessaloniki, Greece
What are the programs for study abroad that came to class?
-mexico
-poland
What are the steps and what are time tables for each?
Step 1: Academic advising (10-12 months)
Step 2: Explore options (10 months out)
Step 3: Fund the trip (8-10 months out)
Step 4: Talk to education abroad & apply (6-9 months out)