HECA College Knowledge Major Talks: Sustainable Agriculture

March 6, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Description

Join us for an in-depth exploration of sustainable agriculture and food systems as a college major. Learn what high school courses, extracurriculars, and experiences will strengthen your students' applications to these programs. Discover adjacent majors, real-world career pathways, and how to help students build a competitive portfolio while exploring this growing field.

Representatives from the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University will highlight the wide range of learning and career-development opportunities available to Soil and Crop Science majors. Students engage in hands-on, field-based courses that explore sustainable food systems in real-world settings, while also contributing to world-class research alongside faculty and graduate students. Beyond the classroom, majors can participate in volunteer, leadership, and extracurricular opportunities that support professional growth and foster a strong community of peers who share a passion for science and sustainable agriculture.

Robin Colt
HECA Member, Independent Educational Consultant

Robin Colt brings two decades of educational experience to her work as an independent college counselor. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont, an M.S. in Environmental Science and Education from Antioch University, and a College Admissions Counseling certificate from UCLA with distinction. Her diverse background includes roles as Director of College Counseling, AP teacher and Exam Reader for the College Board, academic advisor, and alpine ski coach, each shaping her holistic, student-centered approach to guiding high school students through the college search and application process. An active member of HECA, College Consultants of Colorado, and RMACAC, Robin stays current by visiting campuses and presenting at conferences across the country. Originally from Hanover, New Hampshire, she now lives in Carbondale, Colorado, with her husband, two young sons, and their Goldendoodle, Scout. When she’s not working with students, she enjoys skiing, biking, yoga, and spending time outdoors.

Ellie Ellis
Post-Doctoral Scholar and Curriculum Designer
Colorado State University

Ellie Ellis has expertise in agricultural soil systems, interdisciplinary research, and science education. She earned her Ph.D. in Soil Science from Colorado State University, where she led a multi-farm study of soil health practices across the Midwest. She combines her soil science background with her passion for education and multimedia design to create educational tools for the Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences and partner institutions.

Susan Melzer 
Associate Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences
Colorado State University

Susan Melzer is an associate professor of Soil Science and Global Environmental Sustainability. She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Sedimentary Geology from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a Ph.D. in Pedology from Colorado State University. Her research focus has been in investigating the global biogeochemical cycling of silicon along native and cultivated grassland ecosystems. More recently, Dr. Melzer’s interests in soil health assess the dynamic processes of soil genesis as a response to climatic and land use conditions. She works in close collaboration with the USDA-NRCS, USFS and the NPS to develop accessible educational resources and experiential learning opportunities that are data driven and will enable an integrated, applied, and transdisciplinary link between educators, researchers, managers, and students.

Tony VanWinkle
Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture & Food Studies
Warren Wilson College