Texas A&M AgriLife Communications Team Shines Bright with 23 National Awards
The Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications team recently achieved a remarkable milestone, securing 23 prestigious awards at the annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE). This esteemed gathering took place from June 16-18 in the vibrant city of Milwaukee, showcasing excellence in communication across various sectors.
Celebrating Excellence in Communication
At this year’s conference, the ACE event was co-chaired by Shelby Dittman, the Social Media Coordinator at Texas A&M AgriLife and the incoming chair of the ACE Social Media Learning Community. Dittman’s leadership and dedication highlight a pivotal commitment to enhancing the Texas A&M AgriLife brand.
Katherine Hancock, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, expressed immense pride in her team’s achievements:
“This marketing and communications team has aggressively sought to showcase the Texas A&M AgriLife brand as authentically as possible. We are fine-tuning our skills and teamwork, and it has been paying off.”
Hancock further emphasized, “We’re proud to help position Texas A&M AgriLife as a national model.”
Understanding the ACE Community
Branded as “Driven by science, communicating for change,” the ACE community consists of dedicated professionals from educational, governmental, and research organizations. Their collective goal is to extend knowledge within the realms of agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
The ACE community’s annual critique and awards program recognizes outstanding contributions in educational and promotional materials from land-grant universities across the nation. This initiative not only honors excellence but also provides professional critiques that serve to elevate the standards of communication.
Honoring Kay Ledbetter: A Beacon of Excellence
Among the highlights of the event was the presentation of the coveted ACE Fellow Award to Kay Ledbetter, the Communications Manager for the Texas A&M AgriLife team. The ACE Fellow Award honors individuals who have shown unprecedented excellence and professionalism in communication, making a lasting impact on their organization and the broader agricultural communications field.
With over 40 years of journalism experience, including 23 years in newspapers, Ledbetter joined Texas A&M AgriLife in 2005. She has held various roles, contributing substantially to the organization.
In addition to her recent accolade, Ledbetter was elected as the incoming Vice President of ACE’s Board of Directors. Her extensive service to ACE includes roles as a conference co-chair and active participation in multiple committees. She has previously won the ACE Media Relations Award of Excellence and the Writing Award of Excellence.
ACE Critique and Award Program: A Testament to Talent
In 2025, the Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications team received 22 awards at the ACE Critique and Awards competition—a clear testament to their steadfast commitment to excellence.
Crisis and Issues Communications
- SILVER – Texas Panhandle Wildfire Communications (Team: Laura Muntean, Blair Fannin, Kay Ledbetter, Shelby Dittman, Courtney Sacco, Sam Craft, Mary Leigh Meyer, and Hancock)
Education Technology and Design
- Website: SILVER – AgriLife Today Website Redesign (Team: Elisabeth Button, Shelby Schiller, Mary Leigh Meyer, and Hancock)
Photography Excellence
Outstanding Professional Skill – Texas Winter Garden Farmer (Sam Craft)
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
The accolades that the Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications team has garnered not only underscore their talent and dedication but also reflect a vision aligned with innovation and excellence in communication. As they continue to forge ahead, they remain committed to their mission of impactful storytelling, creativity, and authentic representation of the Texas A&M AgriLife brand.
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