By Kelly Stenka
Doane University is reimagining its agribusiness program with a goal that feels both practical and personal. The university wants graduates who understand the changing demands of agriculture and who can lead in the rural communities they call home. That mission drives the program’s ongoing restructure, led by Assistant Professor and Agribusiness Program Director John Slieter 88L, ‘99A, Ph.D.
As a Doane alum, Slieter earned a doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2024.
His academic work within the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications program placed him on UNL’s East Campus, where these programs are offered. That background now serves him at Doane, where he teaches graduate leadership courses and directs the agribusiness program.
Since joining Doane, he has analyzed agribusiness programs across the Midwest to ensure Doane students are set up for success with an education aligned with industry needs. Doane’s agribusiness program now balances preparation for careers in areas such as ag technologies, banking, insurance, seed and chemical sales and manufacturing with the needs of students returning to farms and ranches.
Doane will add targeted plant and animal science courses to the agribusiness program, prompting a transition from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Science to reflect the expanded curriculum.
“Farmers, ranchers, bankers, realtors, salespeople, agronomists, grain traders and extension agents all depend on each other,” he said. “So we will prepare graduates to thrive and lead in rural communities where agribusiness is done, or wherever they choose to pursue their careers in agribusiness.”
Critical thinking is central in his courses. Students learn to analyze information, question assumptions and avoid reacting to misinformation. He encourages students to think about global agricultural trends, including the growing global demand for food and scientific and technological innovations such as precision agriculture, biogenetics, regenerative soil practices, synthetic plant and meat developments, market fluctuations and the challenges brought about by climate change.
“It is about understanding the big influences and what they mean for your community,” he said.
Slieter sees promise in how students engage with issues like sustainability. Technology continues to transform agriculture, with tools like short-stature corn hybrids and precision yield mapping helping farmers conserve resources and reduce waste.
Many students take this new knowledge home, sharing it with families who have long relied on traditional methods.
“Introducing new ideas and technologies requires grace,” Sleiter said. “Students can expect pushback, but they also need the courage to share what they have learned.”
As the agribusiness program expands, Sleiter said Doane is building degrees that align with workforce needs and industry expectations. “We are building something that matters,” he said. “When our students graduate and find jobs that help their communities thrive, that is when we will know we did this right.”
To learn more about Doane’s agribusiness program, visit doane.edu/programs/agribusiness.
