Rick D. Rudd,
Professor & Department Head

Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech, Dr. Rudd was a professor at the University of Florida (1994 – 2006). His professional experience began as a high school agriculture teacher in Ohio, where he taught for seven years. Dr. Rudd enjoys fishing, being outdoors, and Hokie sports! He and his wife Suzann have three children – two in high school and one in middle school.

Education

• Virginia Tech, Ph.D., Vocational–Technical Education, 1994
• The Ohio State University, Agricultural Education, 1988
• The Ohio State University, Agriculture, 1985

Research Interests

• Critical and creative thinking
• Problem solving

Recent publications and presentations

Refereed Publications

*Friedel, C., & Rudd, R.D., (2006). Critical thinking and learning styles of undergraduate students. Journal of Agricultural Education. Accepted, In Press.

*Morgan, A. C., & Rudd, R. D., (2006). Teaching leadership in agricultural science: Behavioral factors that influence secondary agricultural science leadership instruction. Journal of Agricultural Education. Accepted, In Press.

Moore , L. L., & Rudd, R. D., (2006). Leadership styles of extension leaders. Journal of Agricultural Education. 47, (1), 6-16.

*Kaufman, E., & Rudd, R. D., (2006). Local Farm Bureau leadership needs assessment: A qualitative study. Journal of Agricultural Education. 47, (1), 53-63.

Stedman, N.L.P., & Rudd, R. D. (2006). Leadership styles and volunteer administration competence: Perceptions of 4-H county faculty in the United States. Journal of Extension. 44 (1). Article # 1R1B6.

Rudd, R. D., (2005). What is the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning? NACTA Journal. 49 (4), 2-4.

*Park, .TD ., & Rudd, R. D., (2005). A description of the characteristics attributed to students’ decision to teach agriscience. Journal of Agricultural Education. 46 (3), 82-94.

* Moore, L. L., & Rudd, R.D, (2005). Extension leaders’ self-evaluation of leadership skills areas. Journal of Agricultural Education. 46 (1), 68-77.

*Ricketts, J.C., & Rudd, R. D., (2005). Critical thinking skills of selected youth leaders: The efficacy of critical thinking disposition, leadership, and academic performance. Journal of Agricultural Education. 46 (1), 32-43).

Invited presentations

Rudd, R. D., (2006). Problem solving style: An introduction to KAI theory. Seminar presented to the OMEGA conference for mentorship in agricultural education. Indianapolis, IN. September.

Rudd, R. D., (2006). Developing your research focus. Seminar presented to the OMEGA conference for mentorship in agricultural education. Indianapolis, IN. September.

Rudd, R. D., (2005). Promoting critical thinking in the college classroom. Seminar presented to faculty at the Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio. September.

Rudd, R. D., (2005). Critical thinking skills. Seminar presented to faculty at the Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK. August.

Rudd, R. D., Friedel, C., & Jones, D., Professional competencies of agriculture teachers. Seminar presented to student teachers at the National FFA / ATA convention. Louisville, KY. October.

Rudd, R. D., (2004) Critical thinking skill development in college students. Seminar presented to University of Kentucky faculty. Lexington, KY. July.

Rudd, R. D., (2004). Engage me: The brain and learning. Seminar presented at the National Teacher Educators Summit. Indianapolis, In. March.

Awards and Recognition

• USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (one of two National recipients) . 2006.
• University of Florida Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars (one of five members of the Academy) . 2006.
• North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture – Teaching Award of Excellence . 2006.
• Association of Leadership Educators – Distinguished Leadership and Service Award . 2005.
• Association for Communication Excellence Gold Award . 2004.
• ADEC Distance Education Award / Outstanding Educational Program : Critical Thinking in the Sciences, 2004.
• ESCOP / ACOP leadership development program . Class 12 participant, 2002 - 2003.
• NACTA Southern Region Outstanding Teacher . Presented by the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, June 2002.

Courses Taught

• AEE 3014 – Interpersonal leadership
• AEE 6XXX – Critical and creative thinking
• AEE 6XXX - Methodology of planned change