Theses and Dissertations
Advisor
Wells, Jessica
Committee Member
Bailey, Cory
Committee Member
Walker, Ryan
Committee Member
Wamsley, Kelley
Date of Degree
5-15-2026
Original embargo terms
Embargo 1 year
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Agricultural Science (Poultry Science)
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department
Department of Poultry Science
Abstract
As the poultry industry continues to make steady advancements in poultry production, it is critical to secure and maintain a talent pipeline. With high industry employee turnover rates and a shortage of poultry science graduates, the poultry industry faces challenges in securing its future workforce. Utilizing online continuing education and dual-enrollment poultry courses may be an effective approach to meeting the industry’s workforce demand and increasing employee retention. However, little is known about the need and effectiveness of an online continuing education and dual-enrollment poultry course. Chapter I of this dissertation was a review of previous literature which identified gaps within the poultry industry workforce pipeline. The study in Chapter II verified the importance of industry employees having a basic knowledge of poultry when entering the poultry industry and its link to job satisfaction, success, and retention. Survey data of current poultry industry employees’ job satisfaction, success, and preparedness influenced the study in Chapter III which determined the need for an online poultry extension continuing education course. Data in Chapters II and III suggested industry personnel favor implementation of an online poultry extension continuing education course. Chapter IV assessed the current application of poultry in Mississippi high schools and the need for an online dual- enrollment poultry course through survey methodologies. Results revealed a need and a willingness to implement an online dual-enrollment poultry course in high schools across the state of Mississippi. Therefore, in Chapter V an online dual-enrollment poultry course was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The results from the study in Chapter V suggested that an online dual-enrollment poultry course could be a successful method of providing a roadmap to further develop students’ interest in poultry. Collectively, all studies in this dissertation provided valuable insight on potential alternative methods to support the poultry industry workforce development as well as providing a roadmap for other industries. Therefore, universities and the poultry industry should consider utilizing online education courses to cultivate a new talent pipeline of educated and skilled employees entering the poultry industry.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Peyton Alyssa, "Identifying alternative methods to strengthen the poultry industry workforce pipeline" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 6990.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6990
