Rate My Professor Dennis Duncan

Dr. Dennis Duncan serves as Professor of Agricultural Education in the School of Agriculture at Tennessee Technological University, contributing to the Agricultural and Veterinary Science faculty. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (1997), Master of Science (1994), and Bachelor of Science (1989), all from Michigan State University, with majors in Agricultural and Extension Education (emphasis in Higher Education Administration), Agribusiness and Natural Resource Education, and Horticulture. Duncan's distinguished career includes positions at Tennessee Tech since 2017, initially as Director of the School of Agriculture (2017-2019) before becoming Professor; Professor, Department Head, and Graduate Coordinator in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at the University of Georgia (2004-2017); Assistant Professor and Coordinating Counselor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1997-2004); and Distance Education Coordinator at Michigan State University Extension (1995-1997).

His research specializations encompass agricultural education, extension education, higher education administration, leadership development, critical thinking skills, international service-learning, food insecurity, school garden programs, equine animal science, youth development, and distance education. Duncan has published over 50 refereed journal articles and 76 refereed conference papers, including 'The Impacts of a School Garden Program on Urban Middle School Youth' (Journal of Agricultural Education, 2016, with Collins, Fuhrman, Knauft, and Berle), 'A Comparison of Critical Thinking Skills of Students Enrolled In a College Level Global Seminar Course' (Journal of International Agricultural Extension and Education, 2016, with Hass and Ricketts), and 'The Impacts of a National Animal Health Internship Program on Interns’ Perceived Leadership, Critical Thinking, and Communication Skills' (Journal of Leadership Education, 2017, with King, Fuhrman, and Borron). He has received consecutive Wings-Up 100 Research Achievement Awards (2019-2024), Tennessee Tech School of Agriculture Outstanding Agriculture Professor Awards (2023-2024), and multiple Tech Research and Creative Inquiry Day Awards (2018-2022). As principal investigator, he has secured grants exceeding $900,000 from the Tennessee Department of Education for Tennessee FFA programs and other funding for urban gardening and study abroad initiatives. Duncan chairs the International Affairs Committee, serves on the Faculty Senate and Honors Council, advises Collegiate FFA and 4-H, and reviews for journals such as the Journal of Agricultural Education and Journal of Leadership Education. His contributions extend to leadership roles in the American Association for Agricultural Education and international conferences.