Erica D. Summerfield

Erica D. Summerfield serves as Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication in the School of Communication and Journalism at South Dakota State University, teaching courses including Digital Promotions, Introduction to Mass Communication, Public Relations Writing, and Science Writing.

Education:

• Ph.D. in agricultural communications, education and leadership from Ohio State University (2024)
• M.S. in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University (2019)
• B.S. in agricultural sciences and natural resources - leadership and extension education from Oklahoma State University (2016)

Her research centers on agricultural communication solutions for rural community challenges, emphasizing design principles, agricultural literacy development, and safety/health initiatives. She investigates science communication frameworks, layout and design applications in agricultural contexts, and pedagogical approaches to teaching agricultural concepts through scholarship of teaching and learning methodologies.

Her in-press publications analyze agricultural labor framing in H-2A visa news coverage and examine reality television's impact on agricultural knowledge through Clarkson's Farm, demonstrating consistent focus on communication strategies for agricultural understanding.

Scientific Awards:

• Ohio State University Graduate Associate Teaching Award (GATA) (2024)
• Ohio State University ACEL Graduate Outstanding Research Award (2024)
• North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture - Graduate Teaching Award (2023)
• Oklahoma State University Outstanding Masters Student (2019)
• North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture - Graduate Teaching Award (2019)

Dr. Summerfield actively contributes to academic service through the COJO Graduate Program Committee and COJO Wellness Committee, while maintaining professional engagement with the National Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) and North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA).