Dean for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
"Agriculture is evolving. Every 1 in 4 careers touches agriculture. If you are uncertain about the opportunities within agriculture, explore, do your research, and network with others in the sector, and I promise you will be sold! Agriculture is LIFE!"
Dr. Antomia "Mia" Farrel makes a daily impact at the University of Kentucky as the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment (CAFE). Dr. Farrel has been at UK for the past 11 1/2 years and has served in various roles such as UK Cooperative Extension Service (UK CES) 4-H Youth Development Educator in Christian County, UK CES Human Resources Specialist, UK CAFE Interim Director of Diversity, Associate Dean for Diversity.
Dr. Farrel became interested in a career in agriculture while she was in her second year at UK. She cites her mentor as her guiding light down the path of agricultural careers by encouraging her to take a course in Agricultural Economics. Since that day, she's had an affinity for agriculture that only continued to grow. She earned her B.S. in Agricultural Economics from UK and her M.S. in Human Development Leadership with a concentration in College Student Personnel from Murray State University, and her EdD from Murray State University in the P-20 Community and Leadership Program with a concentration in Agriculture.
As Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, it is Dr. Farrel's responsibility to promote awareness of DEI throughout the campus faculty, staff, and students. Through webinars (among other mediums), Dr. Farrel encourages people to have courageous conversations around understanding and awareness. Through her "Cultivation of Inclusion" program, Dr. Farrel explores differing and diverse perspectives. Sessions include dialogue about whiteness, microaggressions, and what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean.
Dr. Farrel recalls some of her greatest achievements working in the agriculture industry and always looks for ways to give back to her community. Some of these have been: serving as the National MANRRS President from 2019-2021, receiving the 2017 National MANRRS Advisor of the Year Award, being a fellow in Cohort 16 of the Food Systems Leadership Institute, and engaged in the following: Kentucky FFA Board of Directors, Big Brother Big Sister of the Bluegrass Board Member and incoming board chair, Kentucky Women in Agriculture Board member, Children, Have, Options, in Choosing Experiences (C.H.O.I.C.E.) Board member, Women’s Forest Congress facilitator, served on the Fayette County Public School Equity Council, served on the UK Women’s Forum Board for two years, and a graduate of the class of 2018-2019 Leadership Lexington.
