Competencies needed by agricultural leadership graduates: an alumni perspective

Purpose This Delphi study aimed to assess the skills, knowledge and competencies needed by agricultural leadership graduates at Oklahoma State University, as perceived by undergraduate program alumni. Design/methodology/approach The Delphi method was employed, engaging a panel of 20 undergraduate program alumni with at least two years of agricultural industry experience ranging from education, agribusiness, public relations and government. Findings We found alumni highly valued transferable skills (e.g. communication, critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability and emotional intelligence). Technical and agricultural industry-specific skills were acknowledged, but did not reach as high a level of consensus. Research limitations/implications This finding suggests programs should consider the individual needs of students, rather than a “one size fits all” approach to curriculum. These findings provide valuable insights for curriculum development practitioners and program evaluators to ensure agricultural leadership undergraduate program students are adequately prepared to meet the demands of a diverse 21st century workforce. Practical implications The results support current literature’s assertion universities should incorporate alumni experiences when developing and evaluating agricultural leadership programming. Originality/value Further, these results underscore the value of leadership education in preparing students for careers in the agricultural industry.