Nellie Hill
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communications and Journalism 
307 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-1140
nlhill@ksu.edu
Teaching
As a teacher, my objective is to facilitate students’ enduring understanding of the principles, skills, and strategies of communicating the science of agriculture. I aim to form continuous learners who are confident and competent agricultural communicators able to identify and address the needs of diverse audiences through critical thinking and creative problem-solving. My teaching experience includes graphic design, photography, media strategy, science communication, and agri-business communications.
Currently, I teach AGCOM 210: Layout and Design Principles, AGCOM 635: Advanced Multimedia Production in Agriculture and Food, AGCOM 810: Scientific Communications, AGCOM 916: Communication Theories and Engagement, and AGED 810: Social Data Analysis in Communication and Agricultural Education.
Research
My research interest focuses on identifying effective elements and influencing factors of persuasive communication to create behavior change (including adaptive, adoptive, and resilient behaviors) among a target audience, primarily in the contexts of natural resources, conservation, and outdoor recreation. I am interested in how science communication can be best utilized to influence audience decisions and actions. As a social scientist, my research aims to develop messaging that pairs scientific innovation with people’s knowledge, attitudes, and interests to shape socially sustainable systems.
Service
Beyond the classroom, I seek to develop and enhance agricultural communicators and the industry through service to the profession. I advise the Agricultural Communications & Journalism Advancement Team, a program-based, student-led recruitment and retention effort. I also serve as a co-advisor for the KSU Student National Agri-Marketing Association chapter, a competitive marketing and sales team. In addition, I am a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Communications and involved in several professional organizations, including The American Association for Agricultural Education and the American Agricultural Editors’ Association.
Biography
Dr. Nellie Hill is an assistant professor of agricultural communications and journalism at Kansas State University. Originally from Pilsen, Kansas, Dr. Hill received her bachelor’s degree in 2012 from the Kansas State agricultural communications and journalism program she now teaches within. She earned her master’s degree at Texas Tech University in 2013. She then gained professional experience in communications and marketing while working for entities including state government, higher education, a private hunting club, and financial services. Dr. Hill returned to Texas Tech, earning her doctoral degree in 2020. Prior to joining the faculty at Kansas State, she helped to establish the agricultural communications program as an assistant professor at New Mexico State University. Dr. Hill has been recognized for her scholarship by earning the Association for Communication Excellence Outstanding Dissertation award in 2021, as well as for her teaching by receiving the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Graduate Student Teaching award in 2020.
B.S. Agricultural Communications and Journalism, 2012 - Kansas State University
M.S. Agricultural Communications, 2013 - Texas Tech University
Ph.D. Agricultural Communications and Education, 2020 - Texas Tech University
