The Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics Student Ambassador Team is a group of exceptional students who serve as representatives for their major, the department, college, and university. Ambassadors build their leadership skills, interact with faculty, staff, prospective students, parents, and alumni, and learn creative ways to apply their knowledge while providing an essential service.

MEET THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR TEAM

Savannah Goodwin
I learned about the International Trade and Development major after researching different pre-law options. The ability to gain the knowledge I would need to apply for law school while still staying within CALS was a big factor in my decision.

Savannah Goodwin

  • Major: International Trade and Development
  • Graduating: Spring 2026
  • Hometown: Louisa, Virginia
  • Email: savannahgoodwin@vt.edu
Joey Johnson
I chose my major so that I can learn about economics, marketing, and management to successfully operate my own business in the future.

Joey Johnson

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Madison, Virginia
  • Email: jbjohnson04@vt.edu
Rosalie McGuirk
I chose a major in agribusiness because I knew I could learn everything I needed to run a successful business. Our professors and faculty are truly here to help, and their diverse backgrounds help to give their students a well-rounded education. I feel prepared to enter the workforce and grow within my career upon graduation, thanks to CALS and AAEC.

Rosalie McGuirk

  • Major: Agribusiness Management
  • Graduating: May 2026
  • Hometown: Bel Air, MD
  • Email: rmcguirk@vt.edu

 

Will McGuirk
I chose my major because I wanted to connect my passion for agriculture with strong economic modeling and data analysis skills.

Will McGuirk

  • Major: Master's Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • Graduating: Spring 2025
  • Hometown: Bel Air, MD
  • Email: willmcguirk@vt.edu

 

Lola Mears
I choose my major because my career goal is to create lasting sustainable changes that benefit both our environment and economic systems, ensuring a healthier planet for both present and future generations.

Lola Mears

  • Major: Environmental Economics, Management, and Policy
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Seattle, Washington
  • Email: lolamears@vt.edu
Michele Mickelwait
I chose agribusiness because I found a passion for the agricultural industry through FFA in high school and want to pursue a career in cooperative extension. I would also like to run my own equine business one day.

Michele Mickelwait

  • Major: Agribusiness with a minor in Strategic Communications and the accelerated master's program in Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • Graduating: Undergraduate Spring 2025, Graduate Spring 2026 
  • Hometown: Woodstock, VA
  • Email: mmickelwait@vt.edu
Nina Stolmeier
I chose my major because it was the perfect intersection of all of my academic interests and it provides me with a variety of options for future careers.

Nina Stolmeier

  • Major: International Trade and Development 
  • Graduating: Spring 2025
  • Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
  • Email: ninaks03@vt.edu
Andrew Teagle
Working as a local farmhand and retail associate during my summers in high school inspired me to pursue agribusiness and advance my career in agriculture. Since Virginia Tech was founded as a land-grant institution, I knew it would have an astounding agricultural program.

Andrew Teagle

  • Major: Agribusiness Management
  • Graduating: Spring 2026
  • Hometown: Gloucester, VA
  • Email: andrewteagle@vt.edu

 

Jamie Testa
I chose my major because it offers me the chance to learn things almost completely new to me while still pursuing a passion of mine, and be able develop a new framework for looking at the world around me.

Jamie Testa

  • Major: Community Economic Development
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Arlington, VA
  • Email: jamietesta@vt.edu
Teresa Thornton
I am passionate about sustainability, business, circular economies, health, agriculture, and food security, so I loved how this major encompassed everything into one. I get to study why people make the decisions they do, how to get people to choose more sustainable options, and the intersection between economic growth and environmental impact.

Teresa Thornton

  • Major: Environmental Economics, Management, and Policy + Public Health 
  • Graduating: May 2025
  • Hometown: Bristow, VA
  • Email: tteresa21@vt.edu 
Gabe Wiggins
I completed my bachelor’s degree in environmental economics, managment, and policy in spring 2024. I had such a great experience with the department that I’ve returned to join the master’s program. I’ve found that I’m passionate about applied economics because I love applying my coursework to solve real world problems impacting people both locally and globally.

Gabe Wiggins

  • Major: Master's in Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • Graduating: Spring 2026
  • Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
  • Email: gwiggins@vt.edu
Jack Wilson
I chose my major because I'm interested in how environmental issues can be monetized, and how we can improve sustainability, especially in energy.

Henry "Jack" Wilson

  • Major: Environmental Economics, Management, and Policy
  • Graduating: May 2025
  • Hometown: Fairfax, VA
  • Email: jackwilson@vt.edu