Joseph Donaldson

A teacher, scholar, program evaluator and researcher, Donaldson teaches, mentors, and advises undergraduate and graduate students, and he works with Extension professionals and stakeholders to enhance community engagement and Extension education. His research has two major lines of inquiry: extension education and career pathways. For career pathways, he explores how people get into and advance in their careers in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. This line of inquiry supports developing an exemplary workforce for grand challenges, such as the rising world population and pressures on the global food supply. Donaldson explores the efficacy of career development programs such as internships and job shadowing. He studies programs for young people that teach career-readiness skills such as communication, leadership, and decision-making. In terms of extension education, Donaldson is interested in how farmers learn and the diffusion of innovations.