Education

• Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Texas Tech University (2000)
• M.S., Agricultural Education, Texas Tech University (1992)
• B.S., Agricultural Communications, Texas Tech University (1991)

Dr. Cindy Akers' research interests focus on media in agricultural education and communication. Recent research includes New Century Farmer lesson plan development with the National FFA Organization, sustaining rural economics through new water management technologies with the USDA Ogallala Aquifer Initiative Project, and examining the influence of media-friendly CDs upon quantity and quality of news coverage with the International Cotton Research Council.

Dr. Aker's is a member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, the American Association for Agricultural Education, the Journal of Agricultural Education Review Board, the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE), Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas, and Gamma Sigma Delta. She has been recognized by ACE with the following honors: Award of Excellence in Academic Program, the Best Research Article Published in the Journal of Applied Communications, Gold Award for Educational Project, and Outstanding Professional Skill Award. She has also been awarded the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award, the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, the Hemphill-Wells New Professor of Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Texas Tech Alumni Association Outstanding New Faculty Award.

Courses Taught
Agricultural Database Networks, Information Systems, and Populace; Digital Communications in Agriculture; Video Production in Agriculture; Web Design in Agriculture; Special Problems in Agricultural Education and Communications, Utilizing the Media in Agricultural and Extension Education

Selected Publications

• Davis, C., Akers, C., Green, C., & Zartman, R., (2006) Variables that influence student performance in an introductory soils class. Journal on Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. 35
• Doerfert, D., Robertson, T., Akers, C., & Kistler, M. (in press).  Farm broadcaster knowledge and beliefs of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms.  Journal of Applied Communications.
• Brashears, M.T., Akers, C., Smith, J., (2005).  The effects of multimedia cues on student cognition in an electronically delivered high school unit of instruction.  Southern Journal of Agricultural Education. 55 (1),
• Simon, L., Haygood, J., Akers, C., Doerfert, D., & Davis, C., (2005) Master’s level agricultural communications curriculum: A national delphi study. Journal of Agricultural Education. 46 (3), 56-69.
• Smith, J., Villareal, V., Akers, C., and Haygood, J.  (2004). Computer knowledge, skills, and experiences of students enrolled in undergraduate courses in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. NACTA Journal. 48 (1), 45-51.
• Akers, C., Miller, K.,  Fraze, S., & Lockaby, J.  (2004). Identifying emotional intelligence as a critical curricular need in agricultural education. Journal of Agricultural Education. 45 (1), 87-95.
• Pyle, A., Brady, H., Lawver, D., Akers, C., and Cepica, T. (2004). Journal-based reflection in undergraduate service learning and the university therapeutic riding center. NACTA Journal. 48 (4), 72.