University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
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2025 Fall Newsletter

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Greg Colson, AAEC department head

From the Desk of Greg Colson

AAE Colleagues, Students, Alumni, and Friends,

This fall we welcomed or welcomed back 88 graduate students and 396 undergraduate students, increasing our enrollment in both our Ph.D. program and our undergraduate majors. We’ve seen another season of momentum, recognition, and community engagement for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics which is highlighted in this semester’s newsletter.

One of the most significant pieces of news this semester comes from our Hospitality and Food Industry Management program. In the 2026 Niche.com college rankings, HFIM was named the #1 public university program in the nation for hospitality and tourism management, marking its fourth consecutive year in the national top five. This recognition reflects the program’s continued growth, including a new faculty member, and the strong support of Georgia’s $60 billion tourism industry. We’re proud of our HFIM faculty and the program’s expanding national reputation as the premier destination for hospitality education.

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Departmental Highlights


Fall Highlights
Where have AAEC been this semester? From our annual pumpkin painting contest to being the spotlight department at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, our department continued to represent across the university and state.
Award Highlights
We celebrate Dr. Yangxuan Liu as the recipient of the 2025 AAEA Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Award.
HFIM Highlights
Our HFIM program continues to lead hospitality programs in the country with the new rankings from Niche.com and through connecting with communities and industries across the state.
Guest Speakers
AAEC hosted many speakers, industry professionals, and alumni to broaden the students' learning experience.
Student Ambassadors
This semester marks the inaugural semester for the departmental student ambassadors program, welcoming 18 students from the department to represent the undergraduate students to the university, industry, and the state.

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