The Ohio State University’s Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership’s (ACEL) alumni board recently recognized six recipients for the 2025 ACEL Alumni Awards. These individuals were selected for their outstanding contributions to the fields of agricultural communication, education, and leadership.
From pioneering educational programs to global outreach efforts, each recipient has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the field of agriculture and shaping the future of their communities. Their dedication and impact embody the core values of ACEL, and therefore they are celebrated for their achievements and service to the agriculture industry.
Mentor to Students Award
Javonne Mullins ’01 and Margo Overholt-Seckel ’11, ’25 PhD
Javonne Mullins, of Washington Court House, Ohio, has built a career rooted in service, mentorship, and excellence in agricultural education. A 2001 graduate in agricultural education, Mullins currently serves as an assistant professor of agricultural education at Wilmington College. In this role, she prepares the next generation of agricultural educators through hands-on learning experiences in the classroom and on the college’s 250-acre academic farm, where she also serves as director.
Her academic journey includes a master of science in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University, a master of arts in speech-language pathology from the University of Cincinnati, and she recently completed her Ph.D. in agricultural education at the University of Missouri.
Javonne’s impact reaches far beyond campus. She mentors student teachers, leads study abroad programs, coordinates professional networking events, and connects students with industry leaders across Ohio and beyond. She also serves the agricultural community through roles with the Ohio FFA Foundation Board of Trustees, the National FFA Convention, and is a superintendent of the Ohio FFA Equine Evaluation CDE. Her commitment to diversity, outreach, and research, especially in areas of global competency and experiential learning, demonstrates her unwavering dedication to student growth and leadership development.
Margo Overholt-Seckel, a program manager with Ohio 4-H, has been honored for outstanding commitment to student mentorship and leadership development, with a focus on workforce development and college and career readiness. A graduate in agricultural communication from Ohio State, with a master’s degree from Oklahoma State, Margo also recently earned her Ph.D. in agricultural communication, education, and leadership.
Her innovative work includes the creation of BuckeyeNEXT, a digital app that helps youth explore career pathways through gamified learning. The app aligns learning activities with career readiness competencies and supports the college admissions process.
Beyond her programmatic work, Margo mentors graduate students, interns, and future Buckeyes. She is known as a tireless advocate, offering guidance on research, academic writing, and career planning. She also advises Ohio State’s Collegiate 4-H student organization. Her collaborative spirit and drive for excellence embody the mission of ACEL to prepare leaders who make a difference.
Young Alumni Award
Kameron Rinehart ’22 MS and Kristen Eisenhauer ‘19, '23 MS
Kameron Rinehart is recognized for his leadership, teaching, and research in agricultural education. With academic roots at Wilmington College, The Ohio State University, and Texas Tech University, where he recently completed a Ph.D., Kameron has built a dynamic career focused on leadership development, diversity, and youth engagement.
His experiences includes roles with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Farm Bureau. As a graduate assistant, he taught leadership courses and contributed to the research that bridges educational theory with real-world application. Kameron’s work designing state FFA exams and supporting strategic educational initiatives further showcases his influence.
Kameron is active in the American Association for Agricultural education and serves on the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Through these roles, he champions inclusive leadership, community engagement and student mentorship.
Since joining Ohio State University Extension in Mahoning County in 2019, Kristen Eisenhauer has been a powerful force for change and engagement. With joint responsibilities in 4-H Youth Development and Agricultural and Natural Resources, she has created impactful programs serving urban and underserved populations.
A two-time graduate of ACEL, Kristen has led efforts such as the “Extension in the Classroom” program, reaching over 4,000 youth with STEM-based 4-H curriculum. In 2024 alone, she delivered over 30 ANR programs and contributed to local coalitions, budget planning and external funding.
Her leadership has brought innovation and recognition to Mahoning County. Notable efforts include the 4-H Activity Center at the Canfield Fair, which serves 1,000 youth annually, the “Buy Fresh Farm” campaign that supported 47 farms during the pandemic, and the 4-H Fabric Frenzy fundraiser that raised more than $3,500 this year. Most significantly, she co-authored a $899,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education that delivered summer learning more than 1,900 youth in priority districts.
Kristens contributions to curriculum development, intern mentoring, and state-level task forces make her a model of education excellence and leadership in the Extension profession.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Tracy Dendinger ’94 and Dr. Lisa Kitinoja ’89 PhD
Tracy Dendinger has dedicated her career to agricultural education and livestock development, serving as a teacher, mentor and leader. A 1994 graduate in agricultural education, she began her career at Miami Trace High School where she spent 17 years as an educator and FFA advisor. In that role, she led students to success in SAE projects, coached 20 state-winning CDE teams, and mentored more than 50 state and national award recipients.
In 2014, Tracy joined the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio FFA Association as a state supervisor for agricultural education. She led program improvements in AET, award systems, and curriculum alignment. She also created the Ohio FFA Finalist Frenzy and serves as editor of the Ohio Agricultural and Environmental Content Standards.
Now retired from state services, Tracy works as a national consultant for The AET, supporting agricultural educators nationwide. She owns WD Club Lambs and Champions Choice Camps, where she coaches young showmen and judges livestock.
Tracy’s career reflects the ACEL mission of excellence in teaching, mentorship, and service. Her legacy touches classrooms, communities, and show rings across the country.
Dr. Lisa Kitinoja is a global leader in postharvest technology and food loss reduction. As founder and president of The Postharvest Education Foundation (PEF) and principal consultant of Postharvest Innovations LLC, she has dedicated her life to training extension workers, nonprofits, and students throughout Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Through PEF, she has led efforts to reduce food loss and improve food security by equipping communities with practical tools for postharvest handling, storage, and distribution. The Foundation has graduated 175 specialists from 34 countries.
Lisa’s decades-long career includes consulting with the World Food Logistics Organization, World Bank, USDA, and international horticultural initiatives. Her work helps smallholder farmers and processors implement affordable, scalable postharvest solutions.
She has pioneered online training, built global innovation networks and shaped sustainable food systems. Her work exemplifies ACEL’s values of global leadership, education, and service. Through her dedication, he has improved food systems and livelihoods around he word.
The ACEL alumni award program is now accepting nominates for the 2026 awards. Nomination forms and award descriptions can be found on the department’s website at acel.osu.edu/alumniawards. Submissions are due on November 1, 2025.