1

From Indiana to Washington to Around the Globe, AgEcon Senior Reflects on Her Experience as a BoilerMaker 

Halee Fisher 

Hometown: Millersburg, IN 

Major & Concentration: Dual major in Agricultural Economics, Applied Agricultural Economics and Political Science, International Relations 

Minors or Certificates: International Agriculture, Global Food & Ag Systems, and Psychology; Certificate in Public Policy  

3

Why did you come to Purdue: MASI (Molecular Agriculture Summer Institute) inspired me to attend Purdue because of the opportunities and family-feel the college of agriculture provides! 

Favorite Purdue tradition: Fountain Run 

Top three influences at Purdue (people, ideas, experiences) 

  1. Professors (Dr. Jayson Lusk, Dr. Foster, Dr. DeBoer to name a few) 
  2. Public Policy Program 
  3. Rising Professionals 

Top five memories of your time at Purdue 

  1. Study abroad to Peru 
  2. Games in Mackey arena 
  3. Rising Professionals Program 
  4. Trip to Vienna 
  5. Spending my summers in Washington D.C. 

4

Places you have been as a Purdue student 

  • Washington D.C. 2x 
  • Lima, Peru 
  • Vienna, Austria 
  • Des Moines, Iowa 

Favorite club/organization: Issues 360 

Favorite Student-led event/initiative: Rising Professional Program 

5

Favorite Purdue event: Breakfast Club!! 

Favorite Social Activity: Laying on the Hills on the intermural fields and talking with friends  

Favorite place to study: Second Floor of Lily 

Favorite spot on campus: roof of Lily  

Favorite thing about CoA: All the experiences. Purdue has sent me everywhere, and I am so thankful! 

2

Favorite thing about your major: Being able to bridge the gap between economics and policy  

Favorite class: Political Communication  

Favorite professor: Dr. Lusk 

Coolest project: Undergraduate Thesis with Dr. Lusk on Milk Labeling 

Three biggest accomplishments: 

  1. Outstanding Freshman-Junior in Agricultural Economics, and Outstanding Sophomore and Junior in the College of Ag 
  2. Spending two summers in Washington D.C. (American Farm Bureau Federation, and FAS) 
  3. Purdue's Truman Scholar Nominee 

6

Things on your resume not listed above: Rising Professionals, AGEC Podcast, Ag Council, Ag Ambassadors, Mortar Board, Issues360, Study Abroad, Student Life Advisory Board, AAEA Quiz Bowl, Honors College 

Where do you want to end up: in Washington D.C. working on Capitol Hill in Agriculture Policy 

9

Advice for underclassman: Seek opportunity. Purdue is full of opportunity and things to get involved in. Find something you love and chase after it.  

Biggest takeaway from Purdue: Build your network and connect with others around you. You never know when you will see or work with those people again. The agriculture community is very small. Never burn a bridge and always try to build relationships.