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Fort Valley State agricultural communicators earn honors during conference
Posted on Jul 10, 2025
ChaNaè Bradley, senior communications specialist and president of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) Board of Directors for 2024-25, provided remarks during the conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Two staff members from the Fort Valley State University's (FVSU) Agricultural Communications Department recently received honors for their work on a national scale.
The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) held its annual conference from June 16 to 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ChaNaè Bradley and Latasha Ford received awards for publications, feature writing and instructional technology.
Bradley, senior communications specialist, won a bronze award for the article “It’s Possible” in Writing 3-Writing within a specialized publication category. The article told the story of a plant science biotechnology alumna fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor.
Ford, research communications manager, earned three team awards. This includes a silver award in Publications for Diverse Audiences for the 1890 Land-grant Communications Committee’s 2024 impact report, “Making a Difference Through Education, Extension and Research,” and two bronze awards. The first in the Newsletters category for the Association of Extension Administrators’ Extension Today and the second in the Innovative Use of Instructional Technology in Education category for the Writer’s Playground program, a collaboration with Dr. Yolanda Surrency, FVSU’s technology curriculum specialist.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized for the work created to represent the university,” Bradley said after receiving her award. “It also encourages me to continue to strive to produce quality material that represents Cooperative Extension and tells the impacts produced by Land-grant Universities.”
Ford also expressed words of appreciation after receiving her awards.
“It is truly an honor to have our communications committee recognized for our collaborative efforts in telling the 1890 land-grant story, as well as for the work Dr. Surrency and I do through Writer’s Playground. She and I are deeply passionate about this initiative and the opportunity it gives us to make a meaningful impact on students,” she said.
Marquinta Gonzalez, director of FVSU’s Agricultural Communications Department, praised the duo for their award-winning work.
"We are very happy that ChaNae' and Latasha were honored by ACE for their efforts. Their high quality of work is a huge asset for the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology,” Gonzalez said.
In addition to receiving honors for their work, Bradley and Ford also hold positions on the ACE Board of Directors.
Bradley completed her 2024-25 term as president of ACE and will serve as past president. She expressed some valuable lessons gained from the experience
“I learned how to take data and make decisions to strategically increase the capacity of the organization. I learned how to work with people with different skill sets and personalities and bring them together to meet goals. I also learned how to recognize talent and abilities in individuals and support and encourage them by providing spaces and opportunities for them to serve,” she said.
Additionally, Bradley said that she was able to meet the goals she set during her term.
“I set a major goal of reaching untapped audiences to increase ACE membership. With the board of directors, I was able to connect and successfully host 37 communicators from 10 of the 19 1890 Land-grant Universities. In addition, I was able to make connections with Tribal Colleges and Universities. From these interactions, a Tribal College representative will serve on the 2026 planning committee for the conference in Billings, Montana. Furthermore, I was able to help the organization raise sponsorship funds in the amount of $48,000. This was a record-breaking amount,” she said.
Ford will serve as president-elect for 2025-26 before assuming the role of president in 2026.
“As president-elect, I am excited to continue building meaningful connections within and beyond the land-grant system. My goal is to help ensure our organization remains strong for years to come. Since joining the Fort Valley State University Wildcat family in 2017, I have felt a strong sense of community on campus and across the land-grant system. I experienced that same welcoming spirit when I became an ACE member. Serving on the board has been a pleasure, and I am grateful for the chance to learn from and work alongside such inspiring leaders,” she said.
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(From left to right) Latasha Ford, 2025-26 incoming ACE president-elect, Stacey Stearns, 2025-26 incoming ACE president, and ChaNae’ Bradley, 2024-25 ACE past president.
ACE is composed of professionals practicing all facets of communications. The organization provides a chance for professional development and networking for individuals involved in promoting knowledge about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.
To learn more about the organization, visit aceweb.org.
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