Glori D Hyman,  Director & Faculty at IAA, University of Maryland

Office Address: 2123 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-4685
Fax: 301-314-9343
E-Mail: gdhyman@umd.edu

Glori Hyman joined the IAA faculty in 1990 and became Acting Director in October 2007. Her area of expertise is in communication. She earned a B.A. in Communication Arts with specializations in Speech and Journalism from James Madison University. She completed her Master’s degree in Professional Writing at Towson University, and has been a teacher consultant with the Maryland Writing Project since 1989.

Ms. Hyman teaches INAG 110: Oral Communication, INAG 111: Written Communication, and INAG 240: Professional Development Seminar. During her time with the IAA, she has served as the IAA’s Public Relations Coordinator, Chair of the IAA/PCC committee, and editor of such IAA publications as Inag News, Institute Items, and the Student Handbook.

Prior to working in higher education, Ms. Hyman spent 5 years working in public relations, publishing, and marketing. She worked for 2 1/2 years as Assistant Editor and feature writer for International Gymnast magazine.

Ray Gless, Lecturer, Advisor and Coordinator for Agribusiness Management

Office Address: 2110 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-4693
E-Mail: rggless@umd.edu

Ray Gless joined the IAA faculty in August 2011 after spending 28 years as a high school Agricultural Education Teacher, FFA Advisor, District Agriscience Program Specialist, and an Adjunct Agribusiness Instructor at the community college level.

Ray grew up in Northeast Ohio on a small grain farm and worked as a custom hay operator before moving to Utah where he worked with Del Monte canning company, turkey, sheep, cattle, and hay production industries while earning his Associate and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Agricultural Education.

He moved to Arizona to open a new high school agriculture program at Red Mountain High School with the focus on urban agriculture/agribusiness and to develop the agribusiness program for Mesa Community College while earning his Masters Degree at Northern Arizona University. In his tenure at Red Mountain High School his students earned 39 FFA American Degrees, 98 State FFA Degrees with 14 state and national winning Career Development Event teams. The program was awarded the Program of the Year by AATA (Arizona Agriculture Teacher Association) and by ACTEAZ (Association of Career and Technical Education).

He has also been named the Teacher and Administrator of the Year several times, received a Life Time Achievement Award and was bestowed the Honorary American Degree by the National FFA Organization.

Ray has been married for over 33 years. He has six sons and an increasing number of grandchildren.

Ken Ingram, Lecturer & Coordinator for Landscape Management & Ornamental Horticulture

Office Address: 2114 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-0499
E-Mail: kingram@umd.edu

Ken began teaching with the IAA in 2008 after 30 years of industry experience with turf, grounds, and golf course management. He is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (GCSAA) and one of only 49 Master Greenkeepers (BIGGA) in the world. He holds a B.S and M.S. from the University of Maryland, but started his education and career with a two- year program much like the IAA.

His interest and focus now are with plant science, landscape management, and horticulture. He also enjoys networking with IAA alumni and current students in the Professional Grounds Management Society, Planet, the Maryland and Mid-Atlantic Arborists Associations, and several Golf Course Superintendent Associations.

Courses Taught

Dr. Kevin Mathias,  Coordinator for Golf Course Management,  Golf Construction Management  , Sports Turf Management  &   Turf Management

Office Address: 2113 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-4692
E-Mail: jkm@umd.edu

Major responsibility has been in the area of turfgrass instruction in which Dr. Mathias currently teaches eight courses per year and advises 30 undergraduate students. Over the past 29 years he has advised over 500 students. He has authored laboratory manuals that are used in several classes such as Insects of Ornamentals and Turf and Turgrass Management. In addition to undergraduate teaching Dr. Mathias is also developing web based training modules for the turfgrass professional.

Courses Taught:

Ellen Polishuk,   Instructor and Advisor of Sustainable Agriculture

Office Address: 2115 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-4690
E-Mail: epolishu@umd.edu

Ellen Polishuk joined the IAA staff in August of 2011. She is a lecturer and advisor in Sustainable Agriculture.

She Teaches:

She was raised in suburban Washington DC. She found her way into agriculture through work at local farms. She received her BS in Horticulture from Virginia Tech in 1986. After four years in vegetable seed research with Haris Moran Seeds in Davis, CA, she returned to Vegetable Farms for the last 20 years. She is a leader in sustainable agriculture, frequently giving workshops and lectures at regional ag conferences. Ellen is passionate about helping foster the growth and productivity of small, sustainably oriented farms.

Kristen Wilson,   4-H Horse Extension Specialist

Office Address: 2111 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-9478
E-Mail: kswilson@umd.edu

Kristen Wilson was born in Annapolis, Maryland. However she grew up in the state of Florida. She earned a B.S.degree in Animal Science -- Equine Industry from the University of Florida in 2003. She remained at University of Florida to earn a M.S. degree in Extension Education with a minor in Youth Development in 2005. As the Regional Extension Horse Specialist for University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, Kristen provides statewide leadership for the Maryland 4-H Horse Program. Kristen coordinates statewide equine contests and educational programs for 4-Hers, volunteers and county faculty and staff. In addition, she teaches Pasture Management & Hay Production within the Institute of Applied Agriculture's Equine Business Management Program. She also serves as a co-advisor to the UMCP Collegiate 4-H Club.

Roy S. Walls Jr. , Instructor

Office Address: 2118 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-7256
E-Mail: rwalls@umd.edu
Website: http://iaa.umd.edu/rwalls.htm

Education:

1987: MS in Agricultural and Extension Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
1975: BS in Agricultural and Extension Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

Courses Taught:

Faculty Responsibilities:

Narrative: Mr. Walls is a Harford County, MD native where he graduated North Harford High School in 1970. He brings 34 years of experience to the classroom and began his position in the IAA in the fall of 1990. Prior to coming to the University he was a Regional Coordinator for Local Planning and Finance and Youth Leadership Specialist at the MD State Department of Education. He began his life long career in Frederick County, MD teaching all manner of high school agriculture subject at Frederick and Linganore High Schools.

Service: Mr. Walls is a twice retired Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 613 in Columbia, MD, having assisted 27 young men to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He currently serves as Executive Treasurer for the MD Agriculture Teachers Association, the MD FFA Foundation, and the MD FFA Association.

Carole A. Dingess,   Business Services Specialist

Office Address: 2123 Jull Hall
Phone: 301-405-4685
E-Mail: cdingess@umd.edu

Carole Dingess began her tenure with the University in June 1986 when she started working in the Poultry Science Department. She started as a secretary,then served as administrative assistant to three acting department chairs until the department merged with Animal Sciences. She then worked for the ANSC Undergraduate Office until August 2005 when she joined the staff at the Institute of Applied Agriculture as our Business Services Specialist. Carole describes her current job this way: "EVERYDAY is a new adventure—challenging, enlightening and always a joy to work for the faculty and students."