The Midwest Poultry Consortium’s Center of Excellence (COE) Program offers strong research-based poultry science education. Faculty and industry members throughout 14 universities from 13 participating states collaborate to provide students with a unique educational experience.
The program offers 18 poultry science credits in two six-week summer sessions. Problem solving and state-of-the-art laboratory training is integrated with industry field trips to complement interactive lectures and discussions.
The 2021 COE program was held at Iowa State University with credits transferring to the student’s home university. Courses include Poultry Products and Technology, Poultry Nutrition, Avian Physiology, Avian Health, Breeder Flock & Hatchery Management, and Poultry Enterprise Management. Thirty students participated in the program this summer.
The classes are focused and unique; each class is two weeks long with a team of 2 or more instructors and guest speakers. This summer, nationally-recognized faculty from Auburn University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin collaborated to teach the various courses.
Classes and labs were held in Kildee Hall, the Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching & Research Facility, the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory, and the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Students also visited several industry sites, including a turkey producer (Ellsworth, IA), turkey poult hatchery (Osceola, IA), a cage-free hen site (Goldfield, IA), and an egg breaking plant (Goldfield, IA).
“It was great to make our on-campus debut at Iowa State University. You can’t replace the in-person experience. Many students said they were able to build true friendships while living and studying together. The ability to do the hands-on labs will be a great benefit as the students head into their internships. Thanks to Iowa State University for hosting!” said Chelsea Russell with the Midwest Poultry Consortium.
The Midwest Poultry Consortium also coordinates internships and job opportunities for COE students and the internships complement the summer academic courses.
This group of students is the first to complete all 18 credits through Iowa State University. Congrats to the 2021 COE graduates pictured above (left to right): Madison Willkomm (ISU), Brady Trimble (KSU), Asha Scheideler (UNL), Liliana Rodriguez (UFL), Adam Ripplinger (NDSU), Abigel Jarvis (MU), and Emily Benton (OSU).
To learn more about the Midwest Poultry Consortium and the Center of Excellence, visit http://www.mwpoultry.org/COEhome.html and read more about COE at Iowa State here: http://www.mwpoultry.org/COE%20Moves%20to%20ISU.pdf