New Semester!

So, classes started back this week for the fall semester and I am so excited about what this year has to offer.  All of the students in the Public Horticulture Program are taking a class together: Experimental Methods in Horticulture.  This class is going to be so informative and helpful in setting up and continuing our research studies.  Probably what I am the most excited about in this course is the prospect of learning about writing grant proposals.  I have always been so intimidated by that process, but after this course, we will be prepared and that will help us to get funding for not only our research projects here on campus, but also  for any endeavor we choose to take on in our careers post academia.

Along with beginning classwork, all of us are getting started with our TA assignments.  This is always so much fun for me—I have discovered through this program that I really enjoy spending time with students and teaching them especially in hands on projects and landscape designs.  It is so rewarding to help a student have an “Ah-ha!” moment.  This semester I will be working closely with Hilary Heath in assisting teaching for both Intermediate Landscape Design and Interior Plants & Floral Design.  These were two of my most favorite classes to take as a student and I can’t wait to meet the students and help them from the other side.  

Please tune in next week for updates from Monte as the semester really gets going!