College of Education graduate student wins Future Leaders Fellowship

The Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development, or AIARD, awarded the competitive Future Leaders Fellowship to Akua Adu-Gyamfi, an Auburn University doctoral student from the College of Education. Akua was among twelve student fellows chosen globally to attend this year’s virtual AIARD annual conference.  

The Guyton Foundation FLF Scholarship is awarded annually to a selected student fellow during the AIARD conference. This year, Adu-Gyamfi was named the recipient of this prestigious scholarship. Adu-Gyamfi, a Ghanaian by descent, is pursuing her doctorate in Agricultural Education and International Development at the College of Education.

The fellowship and scholarship provide excellent opportunities for career development, mentoring, networking in international development, rural development and assistance with expenses related to research activities. "It is an honor to be announced as the 2022 Guyton Foundation FLF Scholarship recipient among my cohort," said Adu-Gyamfi. "This award will go a long way to help with my Ph.D. dissertation research in Ghana."

Adu-Gyamfi is passionate about rural farmers, sustainable agriculture, food security, and food safety issues. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on climate-smart agriculture in Ghana. She credited her faculty advisors and Auburn University for providing the opportunity to pursue her dream of international and rural development. "Auburn University’s Agricultural Education program has guided and provided me with the right resources to succeed," said Adu-Gyamfi. "I have excellent and dedicated professors who are interested in my overall well-being. I wouldn't have made it this far without their help."