New Alumni Director has Deep College Roots

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Alumni from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences have a new contact and advocate on campus.

CFAES alumna Jody Poth became the college’s director of alumni engagement on Dec. 22, 2014. She received her undergraduate degree in agricultural education from The Ohio State University in 2008 and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of Connecticut in 2010.

“My involvement with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences began long before I walked through the doors of Ag Admin as a freshman in college,” Poth said. “Rather, it began as a wide-eyed, 9-year-old 4-H member in Fairfield County, as I was introduced to the power and effects of OSU Extension.”

Poth’s journey with 4-H and OSU Extension would be a ten-year path that would lead her straight to the doorsteps of the Agricultural Administration Building, where she pursued and received a degree in Agricultural Education, she said. 

Anyone who has been associated with this college knows it is no ordinary college,” Poth said “It is a home, a community and a passion.

“I believe in this college and its boundless potential to bring knowledge to life for its current students, its alumni and the entire population within its reach. In this spirit, I and excited to return “home" and step into this new role of Director of Alumni Engagement.”

Poth comes to the position from Ohio State’s Office of Student Life, where she served as associate director, events and engagement and earlier as assistant director of parent, family and alumni relations. She also serves as a FarmHouse International Fraternity adviser, 4-H volunteer and Beanie Drake Student Leader Endowment Board adviser.

As a student, Poth was named a top ten senior in the college and a top senior in the university. She served as a college ambassador and a resident advisor at Norton House.

“The alumni community isn’t just important to the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; our alumni community is integral,” Poth said. “Graduates of this college know that CFAES is more than just the institution that awarded their degrees.

“This college is a home, a community, a family. That’s part of what makes our college so special and unique.”

Poth will be housed in Howlett Hall and will join the college’s Advancement staff led by Chris Delisio, chief advancement officer.