Who We Are

The purpose of the Integrated Plant and Soil Science Graduate Student Association (IPSS GSA) is to welcome new graduate students into the program as well as sponsor professional and social events for all graduate students in the IPSS program.  All graduate students in the IPSS graduate program are automatic members in this organization.  The IPSS GSA meets once a month during the school year.    

Activities

• Annual Spring Professional Development Trip:  The IPSS GSA plans and sponsors a professional development trip to different companies in the agricultural industry.  In the past few years they have visited Monsanto in St. Louis, MO, and BASF, Bayer Crop Sciences, R. J. Reynolds, Syngenta, Ag Biome, and North Carolina State University in North Carolina.  At these companies, graduate students have a chance to network with industry professionals and learn more about working in industry after graduation. 

• Three Minute Thesis Competition:  The IPSS GSA hosted its First Annual 3MT competition for IPSS and Plant Pathology students in 2018.  Students and faculty from respective departments gave 3MTs over their research projects or lab. This event occurs annually in the spring semester and has become a favorite competition.

• Social Events:  The IPSS GSA hosts multiple social events every year.  Past social events have included an ice cream social, attending a Lexington Legends baseball game, bowling, attending a local trivia night, and hosting a Christmas Party.