Alexandra Merritt Headshot

Communication from the classroom to the field

Name: Alexandra Merritt

Hometown: Peru, IN

Major: Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Sales and Marketing

Why did you come to Purdue: I came to Purdue because of how amazing Purdue’s Agriculture program is and how respected it is within the industry.

Favorite Purdue tradition: Purdue Ag Week

Alexandra with friends at Mackey

Top three influences at Purdue:

  1. Dr. Mark Tucker
  2. LeAnn Williams
  3. Dr. Christine Wilson
Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. Purdue Basketball games inside Mackey
  2. Ag Alumni tailgate before Purdue football game
  3. My time in Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority
  4. Working Ag Council’s Moonlight Pancake Breakfast
  5. Serving as an officer in both Sigma Alpha and Ag Council

Alexandra with a group

Favorite club/organization: Purdue Sigma Alpha and Ag Council

Favorite student-led event/initiative: Ag Council’s Moonlight Pancake Breakfast

Favorite Purdue event: Purdue Ag Week

Favorite place to study: The Union

Favorite thing about CoA: My favorite thing about the College of Ag is the strong community within it and the opportunities and experiences that are there for students.  

Favorite class: ASEC 285

Favorite professor: Dr. Mark Tucker

Class you are excited to take your senior year: ASEC 480

Alexandra with night group

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. Having two officer positions in Purdue Sigma Alpha
  2. Being accepted into the Purdue Ag Econ Honors Program
  3. Obtaining three internships within the agriculture field while at Purdue

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: I am the 2025 recipient of the Purdue Extension Emerging Women in Agriculture Award.

Future plans: I hope to pursue a career in the agricultural field that allows me to advocate for agriculture and teach people about agriculture without being in a typical classroom setting!

Alexandra with Sigma Alpha group

Advice for underclassmen: My biggest piece of advice for underclassmen is to remember why you started and take every opportunity you can!

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: Purdue has taught me that agriculture is more than a field of study — it’s a community, and it affects everybody’s everyday lives.