Juggling Students and Industry Needs: Redesigning an Academic Agribusiness Program

Changing student demographics, shifting expectations, and industry needs influence class offerings and curricula, particularly in business-related higher education. This study evaluates the alignment between academia and the expectations of students and industry stakeholders, with the aim of highlighting curriculum adjustments within an agribusiness program. A non-land-grant agribusiness program is used as a case study, utilizing senior exit surveys from 2012-2023 and recent focus group discussions with industry stakeholders. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of survey responses reveal that while students highly value hands-on learning and communication skills, they feel underprepared in experience-based skills such as agricultural policy and law. The industry analysis points out that practical learning prioritizing internships and digital competencies, such as AI and database management, are critical skills. In response, the department has revised course content, introduced a writing course tailored to agribusiness, expanded internships, and explored interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance real-world applications. The findings highlight opportunities for further alignment, such as integrating emerging technologies and the expansion of modules on sales, marketing, finance, and management to better meet students’ aspirations. By bridging these gaps, agribusiness programs can evolve to meet dynamic educational and professional demands, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for modern challenges.