Graduate Student Spotlight: Olivia Murphy-Sweet


Olivia Murphy-Sweet is originally from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and attended Penn State where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in International Agriculture. Olivia was a military kid, so she spent her childhood traveling throughout the United States and other parts of the world. These experiences combined with an opportunity to travel to Belize during her undergraduate education helped her realize she wanted to join the Peace Corps. Olivia lived and worked in a rural village, Botou, in Tambacounda Senegal where she worked as a Sustainable Agricultural Agent. Olivia completed four grants during her time with the Peace Corp: a waterline installation project to a remote part of the village that was not receiving any water, Michele Sylvester Scholarship which provided 26 young women the opportunity to further their education, a computer project that provided five laptops to help create a learning center, and Botou School Wall project that aided in the community building a wall around the school.

Olivia is currently working towards two Master’s Degrees at the University of Idaho, Agricultural Education and Curriculum Instruction and Design. Her mentors’ recommended the University of Idaho because of the AEE Department faculty and the research they are conducting. Olivia’s parents also attended the University of Idaho; she is excited to make her own story at her parents’ alma mater. She also notes the beauty and uniqueness of the Palouse, “I hope people do not take for granted the views that are around this area! It is truly beautiful!” 

Ultimately, she would love to become a consultant for an NGO and analyze programs; using SWOT analysis of the organizations and programs to assist them in creating sustainable goals. 
Outside of being a Graduate student Olivia stays busy with multiple projects and hobbies. She is currently practicing to be on the Palouse River Rollers Derby Team. In May, Olivia will be traveling to Nepal with the Global Teach Ag Crew from Penn State. She is also preparing to be an FFA WLC facilitator this summer in Washington, DC.

For those pursuing traveling or international agricultural experiences, she says, “There are new cultures to learn, new people to meet, and new things to try! If you don’t open your world view and erase your expectations, then you can’t fully immerse yourself in something new. If you want a career in international agriculture, be prepared for each day to be different!” 


Written by Klae O'Brien
Contributed to by Jackson Matuzek
Fall 2019

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