Meet Erin Driscoll - Finding her home away from home

Major: Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications

Expected graduation year: Spring 2027

Hometown: Williamsburg, Iowa

 

As an out-of-state student, what made you choose K-State?

When considering colleges, I knew I wanted to move away from home to explore opportunities outside my hometown. The first time I toured K-State was as a freshman in high school, and I fell in love with it. During my senior year of high school, my mom and I returned to Manhattan during Thanksgiving break, and it immediately confirmed that K-State would be one of my forever homes. It’s honestly not even that far of a distance, so it wasn’t hard to move away.

Why did you choose the K-State College of Agriculture and decide to major in agricultural communications?

I chose the College of Agriculture because it made me feel important. The faculty and ambassadors welcomed me, answered my questions and gave me a tour of campus. Compared to the other schools I toured, I didn’t get the same feeling that I did when I was on K-State’s campus. I was very excited for the hands-on learning, networking opportunities and community that the College of Agriculture had to offer.

I believe agricultural communications is the jack-of-all-trades, and I chose to major in it because I am interested in connecting with producers and consumers. After completing a majority of my required courses, I realized how many skills I developed, like working in Adobe software, social media management and even improving how to communicate professionally. The professors design their classes to set you up for success.

What clubs or organizations are you involved in on campus?

I am involved in Sigma Alpha, the agricultural professional sorority. I’m a member of the Collegiate Cattlewomen, Block and Bridle and a College of Agriculture ambassador.

Sigma Alpha focuses on professional development, teaching me how to successfully navigate the real world as a woman in agriculture. Every experience I have had is a direct result of being on campus, engaging with others, and exploring everything K-State has to offer.

My commitment as a College of Agriculture ambassador is deeply meaningful to me. The minute I toured campus, I told my mom I wanted to be an ambassador and help future students decide to come to K-State. Now that goal is a reality and the experience is incredibly fulfilling. In my professional agricultural sorority, my ‘little’ mentioned that she remembered me from her initial visit and that I had inspired her to choose K-State. These moments of connection make me feel truly appreciated and reaffirm that I made the right decision years ago.

What would you tell a prospective student about choosing the K-State College of Agriculture?

I like to say I am K-State College of Ag’s biggest advocate. During my prospective student tours, I get asked all the time why they should choose K-State. I always share the opportunities K-State offers. The new buildings, ways to get involved, finding your community, building relationships with the faculty and staff and the friendliness of the students here. It has changed my life for the better, and I will always encourage others to come to K-State.

I truly love being involved on campus because it allows me to hear everyone’s stories and build meaningful connections. I believe that without this involvement, you miss out on the valuable experience of meeting new people and forming lifelong friendships. Being active in various organizations has been incredibly rewarding, as they provide essential growth opportunities I didn’t even realize I needed.

Is there a member of the faculty or staff who has made an impact on your education or experience at K-State?

Dr. Jason Ellis has been one of the best mentors I have ever had. I took one of his classes last semester, and he made it feel comfortable to ask questions, looked over my resume and even wrote me a letter of recommendation. I appreciate how supportive he is of me, academically and professionally. I saw him at a volleyball game and he stopped to talk to me and it made me feel seen and valued. I appreciate how the faculty genuinely care about you as a student and as an individual.

I have also really enjoyed working with Lindsey Linnebur Baum through Ag Ambassadors. She is such an inspiration and a significant supporter. Her assistance in getting me active on campus and establishing valuable connections has been greatly appreciated.

How do you think K-State is preparing you for your future career?

K-State has provided incredible networking opportunities that have significantly broadened my perspective. One of my goals when choosing a university was to expand my professional network, and moving from Iowa to Kansas has allowed me to connect with more people than I ever imagined.

A memorable experience was in Dr. Ellis’s careers class, where we were required to have a one-on-one mock interview with an industry professional. He connected me with a Kansas legislator, and I will be working with them in the coming semesters. I am eager to get involved and learn as much as possible about the local political landscape.

While I am still exploring my ultimate career path, I am certain that I want my degree to lead me toward a career in agricultural policy. I am particularly interested in working behind the scenes on campaigns or within political parties, acting as a liaison who communicates agricultural issues to policymakers. It is important to me because there are not enough people representing agriculture at that level, and I would love the opportunity to be a voice for the industry.