In response to the need for strong leadership skills among its graduates, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental sciences created Alpha Zeta Partners (AZP). AZP was formed in 1998 as a result of a partnership between Alpha Zeta Alumni Members (Ray Miller, Bob Joseph, John Ellinger, Bernie Erven and Carl Zulauf); Dr. L.H. Newcomb, Senior Associate Dean; and Dr. R. Dale Safrit and Dr. Garee W. Earnest, who had received a Higher Education Challenge Grant from the USDA to conduct a two-year leadership development program for undergraduates in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The overarching goal of AZP is to "provide potential employers with an exceptional cadre of well-educated graduates with a demonstrated capacity for leadership" (Newcomb, 1998).
Each year, though a highly selective application and screening process, approximately 20 of the college's most promising and vibrant students participate in three leadership seminar and a six-week study abroad to explore personal leadership capacities, diversity and pluralism, organizational change, and issues of national and international significance.
Why Partners?
We have been asked by many why we have Partners added to our name. In addition, to the partnership that formed AZP, we believe that partners also denotes what we do as an organization, which relates to the National Alpha Zeta mission.
- Build partnerships that create ties across the nation and world (Fellowship).
- Engage others in the leadership effort (Leadership).
- Gain knowledge and experience through working with others (Scholarship).
- Serve and collaborate with our communities for a brighter future (Service).
Alpha Zeta Partners value:
- Leadership
- Commitment
- Diversity of members and experience
- Personal growth
- Service
- Professional Development
- Scholarship
- Integrity
- Friendship
- Involvement
Organizational Documentation