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

Kayla Dao
Growing up as a first-generation student, I witnessed how access to nutritious food shapes health, education, and opportunity. These experiences led me to my major, where I focus on understanding and addressing the economic barriers that create inequities in food systems. I hope to contribute to solutions that make healthy food more accessible and sustainable for all communities.

Kayla Dao

  • Major: Food and Health Systems Economics
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Vienna, Virginia
  • Email: kayladao@vt.edu
Ava Cook
I chose agribusiness because I want to become a 4-H Cooperative Extension agent and make a positive impact in the agriculture community. This major helps me build strong skills in farming, education, and leadership so I can support youth, families, and local farmers.

Ava Cook

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Culpeper, Virginia
  • Email: avcook@vt.edu
Naomi Deibler
I chose to major in agribusiness management because I grew up riding horses and working/volunteering on a couple of different farms. Also, I hope to run my own business within the world of agriculture after graduating. I knew that CALS and AAEC at Virginia Tech were the best places to pursue my interests.

Naomi Deibler

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2029
  • Hometown: Newport News, Virginia
  • Email: naomid25@vt.edu
Will Flagg
My major interested me because I knew it would provide a well-rounded learning experience and prepare me for any career path I wanted. Having an interest in how certain industries across the world function, economics, and international politics, this major and department checked all of my boxes, and I continue to look forward to the great places I know my degree will take me.

Will Flagg

  • Major: International Trade and Development
  • Graduating: Spring 2029
  • Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
  • Email: wflagg10@vt.edu 
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
Logan Hickman
I chose my major because I come from a farming family. I am an agribusiness major and get to learn more about crops while also learning about the economics and business side of the agricultural world. Using what I learn at Virginia Tech, I will bring new ideas back to my small town to make our operation more successful.

Logan Hickman

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2028
  • Hometown: Horntown, Virginia
  • Email: loganh06@vt.edu
Zoe Howe
I chose my major because I am passionate about the complexities of the American economy, specifically through an environmental lens. In the near future, I hope to research solutions to complex global sustainability problems that balance economic growth with environmental protection. I’m excited to expand my problem-solving skills, specifically in resource allocation problems.

Zoe Howe

  • Major: Environmental Economics, Management, and Policy
  • Graduating: Spring 2029
  • Hometown: Avon, Connecticut
  • Email: zoeh109@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
Hannah Kuehn
I chose my major because I can continue my passion for our environment through the lens of economic analysis and policy action. Taking the deep dives into balancing economic growth with environmental health and creating economically based solutions for climate change fuels my enthusiasm for sustainability and becoming the best version of myself.

Hannah Kuehn

  • Major: Environmental Economics, Management, and Policy
  • Graduating: Spring 2029
  • Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
  • Email: hekuehn@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: Spring 2026
  • Hometown: Bel Air, Maryland
  • Email: rmcguirk@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 and the accelerated master's program in Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • Graduating: Undergraduate Spring 2025, Graduate Spring 2026 
  • Hometown: Woodstock, Virginia
  • Email: mmickelwait@vt.edu
Grace Stowe
I chose agribusiness because of the diverse career opportunities within the major. I want to make a difference in the agriculture sector and foster opportunities for advancement and growth. My goal is to specialize and work in human resources upon graduation.

Grace Stowe

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2029
  • Hometown: Dry Fork, Virginia
  • Email: graces07@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 
  • Graduating: Spring 2026
  • Hometown: Gloucester, Virginia
  • Email: andrewteagle@vt.edu

 

Sarah Terwilliger
I chose my major because it's very versatile and combines economics with something that I am very passionate about. I'm confident this degree will set me up well for my career after graduation, which will be in economic policy.

Sarah Terwilliger

  • Major: Community Economic Development
  • Graduating: Spring 2028
  • Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia
  • Email: seterwilliger@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, Virginia
  • Email: jamietesta@vt.edu
Cara Whitiaker
I chose my major because of my lifelong passion for agriculture, developed through my experiences in 4-H and FFA. This is preparing me for a future career in the agricultural industry while equipping me with the skills necessary to successfully manage and run my own business.

Cara Whitaker

  • Major: Agribusiness
  • Graduating: Spring 2027
  • Hometown: Amelia, Virginia
  • Email: caraw2928@vt.edu