Walking through the Department of Agriculture in Childs Hall on the campus of Southern Arkansas University, Matt Jackson is warmly greeted by students, faculty, and staff alike. There seems to be an open camaraderie amongst the students and professors.
“This is the best part of our Department,” says Matt, a senior agricultural education major from Bismarck and the son of David and Helen Jackson. “The atmosphere is very laid back and friendly.”
As he visits with a professor in her office, he notes how at ease students feel when they talk to her about their schedules, classes, or any other issues they may be facing.
“This is what I am talking about,” he says. “You can’t help but feel comfortable in these surroundings.”
Matt will soon leave these familiar and friendly walls as he prepares to graduate in May and pursue his dream of being an agriculture teacher.
“I want to be a role model,” he says. “Some students don’t have anyone to look up to I admired my ag teacher in high school. Every child needs a good role model.”
He recently began student teaching at Centerpoint High School with an agriculture teacher he admires and respects.
“The man I am student teaching under has been an ag teacher for 44 years,” says Matt, a 2001 graduate of Bismarck High School. “He has been national teacher of the year as well as state teacher of the year.”
While most teachers look forward to June, July, and August, Matt says that agriculture teachers are busy all year.
“Summer time is when we attend leadership camps and conventions,” he explains. “We also are required to attend supervised agriculture experience projects to help us prepare for our classes.”
After graduation, Matt and his fiancée Stephanie Keene plan to move to northwest Arkansas. He hopes to find a job while Stephanie works with a local veterinarian and pursues a degree as a veterinary tech.
Although Matt will be in another part of the state, he will still have fond memories of the Department of Agriculture at SAU.
“I’d like to see the agriculture department expand in the future,” he says. “The Department has the potential to be the best in the state, and I hope they succeed.”
