About Agriculture in the Classroom

Ray A. Ali, National Program Leader

Please welcome Dr. Ray Ali as the new USDA program leader for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC).

The Higher Education Programs section of the Science and Education Resources Unit is pleased to announce that Dr. Ray Ali has joined the current SERD unit as the National Education Program Leader responsible for the Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC). In addition to his AITC responsibilities, Ray will also administer other SERD education grant programs once those activities start up again in FY 2011.

Dr. Ali received a B.S. in Biology (minors in Chemistry and History and Philosophy of Science) and a M.A. in Teaching - Secondary Science Education, from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Ali obtained an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (minors in Elementary and Middle School Science Education) from Marshall University. He was the inaugural science and financial affairs teacher at the first public K-12 charter school in the City of Pittsburgh, PA. With the re-designation of West Virginia State University as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution, Dr. Ali joined its Cooperative Extension Program as an Associate Director and Department Head, where he led youth, family, adult, and community education initiatives. Most recently, Ray served as the Associate Director for Field Operations of Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech, where he was also the Diversity Coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Throughout his career, Dr. Ali has taught at the K-12 and post-secondary levels, and has administered over $2.5 million of public and private-sector funding. He is originally from Philadelphia, PA, and currently resides in Montgomery Village, MD, with his wife and four-year old son.

Contact information

Ray A. Ali, Ed.D.
National Education Program Leader
United States Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW  Mail Stop 2251
Washington, DC 20250-2251
Phone: 202.720.2727
Fax: 202.690.0062