Doctoral Teaching Assistant
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Taylor K. Apple is a doctoral student and teaching assistant in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University. Her research explores the intersection of agricultural literacy, employability, and student development, with a focus on how students build both competence and confidence as future professionals. Her dissertation, Bridging Agricultural Literacy and Employability: Identifying Essential Agricultural Competencies for Agricultural Communications Graduates, examines how learning experiences can shape not only technical skill but also self-efficacy and resilience.
In the classroom, Taylor teaches courses in media concepts, feature writing, and graphic design. She emphasizes experiential learning, reflective practice, and portfolio development as strategies to help students grow holistically—not just as professionals, but as people. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that confidence and competence go hand-in-hand, and that education is most impactful when it acknowledges the whole student.
Taylor also serves as the national adviser for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), a student-led organization that supports leadership development and professional growth for agricultural communication students nationwide. In this role, she mentors student leaders, guides professional development programming, and fosters spaces where students feel empowered to engage with both opportunity and challenge.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM MDT