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In this episode of the Deep Roots Podcast, host, Vikram Baliga, PH.D., sits down with Lance Nicholas, a senior agricultural education student at Texas Tech University, to talk about his journey as a student leader, undergraduate researcher, and future educator. Hailing from the small town of Brookshire, Texas, Lance shares how saying yes to new opportunities has transformed his college experience and shaped his passion for agricultural education.

Lance reflects on his involvement across campus, from serving as president of Agricultural Educators of Tomorrow and recruiting future students as an Agri-Techsan to mentoring peers through the Tech Leadership Institute. These experiences helped him develop as both a leader and educator while reinforcing the importance of curiosity, service and personal growth.

A major focus of this episode is Lance’s undergraduate research, where he completed two projects. His first examined the relationship between school administrators and agricultural educators in districts experiencing high teacher turnover, seeking ways to strengthen communication and improve teacher retention. Through interviews with school leaders, Lance gained firsthand insight into the challenges facing agricultural education and the value of collaborative leadership. His second project explored media framing of Texas’s school choice legislation and its implications for rural education, broadening his understanding of research methods and public policy.

Throughout the discussion, Lance emphasizes how undergraduate research has prepared him for a career in education by developing critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. He also shares the challenges of conducting qualitative research, including building trust with participants and learning how thoughtful communication can open doors to meaningful conversations.

Looking ahead, Lance discusses his acceptance into the agricultural education graduate program at Texas Tech, where he plans to continue researching teacher recruitment and retention. He hopes to mentor future students while expanding his own research interests under the guidance of faculty mentors.

Let us know your thoughts on Lance’s research, reach out to him for more information, and be sure to subscribe to Deep Roots!