Dr. Aimable Mugabo

Aimable Mugabo, Ph.D.

Agricultural Education, Extension & Digital Agriculture Scholar
Community-engaged researcher specializing in digital agriculture, farmer motivation, and technology adoption in underserved communities. My work integrates Situated Expectancy-Value Theory and the Community Capitals Framework to study how motivation and community context shape engagement with learning, innovation, and rural development.

Research Interests

Motivation & Learning
Motivation, self-efficacy, identity, and behavior change in learning and innovation.
Community-Engaged Research
Community-engaged research and program evaluation in applied development settings.
Digital Agriculture
Digital agriculture, mobile-phone adoption, and ICT for development.
Extension Systems
Agricultural extension systems, young adult learning, and knowledge dissemination.
Rural Innovation
Community capitals, rural innovation systems, and underserved communities.
Climate-Smart Outreach
Climate-smart agriculture and multimedia educational outreach.

Experience

Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication (2026), Purdue University
  • Master of Science in Sustainable International Development (2021), Brandeis University
  • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (2012), University of Rwanda

Graduate Research Assistant — Purdue University · 2022–Present

  • Researches digital agriculture, rural information access, and farmer technology adoption.
  • Coordinates international partnerships and co-authors peer-reviewed publications.

SAWBO Global Collaboration Liaison Lead — Scientific Animations Without Borders · 2022–2023

  • Led the SAWBO–RAB collaboration integrating digital animations into Rwanda's national extension system.

Program Administrator — IERE, Brandeis University · 2022–2023

  • Managed financial reporting, reconciliation, and collaborative initiatives.

Instructor — Purdue University · Spring 2026–Present

  • Teaches ASEC 301: Intercultural Partnerships (intercultural communication and global partnerships).

Peer Graduate Teaching Assistant — Purdue University · 2025

  • Supported Research Design for Social Scientists and Theories of Learning and Development.

High School Teacher of Entrepreneurship — Indatwa N'Inkesha School · 2013–2014

  • Achieved a 95% student pass rate and initiated debate clubs.

Elementary School Teacher — EPPAPEC Primary School · 2008–2009

  • Taught Science, Civic Education, and English.

Founder & Executive Director — Shalom Rwanda Inc. (501(c)(3)) · 2022–Present

  • Leads a U.S.-based nonprofit advancing agricultural development and digital extension.
  • Builds partnerships with universities, NGOs, and government agencies.

Head of Marketing & Agronomist — Sodiaco, Ltd. · 2017–2021

  • Grew pesticide supply from ~300 to 900+ tons/year; contributed roughly $500,000 annual profit.

Founder & CEO — Green Terra, Ltd. · 2017–2020

  • Trained 10,000+ farmers and supplied inputs at scale (5,000+ sprayers, agrochemicals, seed).

Innovation & Agricultural Integration Training Manager — One Acre Fund · 2014–2016

  • Trained 2,000+ farmers and a team of innovation officers; introduced new crop varieties.

Scholarly Works

Scholarly Works

Selected Published Manuscripts

  • Innovative estimation of digital reach for informal educational videos, Cogent Social Sciences (2026) 10.
  • Smallholder Farmers Motivation and Utilization of Community Capitals in Mobile Phone Use for Agriculture (Doctoral dissertation) (2026) 13.
  • Comparative analysis of agricultural extension models in the U.S., Rwanda, and Nigeria, Agriculture and Environmental Education (2026) 13.
  • Using digital technologies to co-create collaborative futures for partnerships, Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies (2025) 14

Selected Published Manuscripts

  • AIAEE Conference, Scotland (2025) — Distinguished Oral Presentation Award.
  • NC-AAAE & National Learner-Centered Teaching Conference (2025).
  • NC-FEW Conference (2025) — problem-based learning and local food insecurity.
  • Doctoral Seminar, Purdue University (2026).
  • Engagement Videos: Produced several YouTube videos explaining Expectancy-Value Theory and agricultural motivation 17, 18.
  • Professional Service: Abstract reviewer for the National Conference on Learner-Centered Teaching (2025) and reviewer for the Agricultural and Environmental Education Journal 19, 20.
  • University Service: Senator for the Purdue Graduate Student Association (2024-2025) and Ph.D. Representative for ASEC (2023-2024) 20.
  • Community Service: Organized commemoration events for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda at Brandeis and Purdue Universities 20, 21.

Awards

  • Merit-based graduate scholarship (60% tuition), Brandeis University (2021–2022).
  • Ibuka US Award (2021).
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Rwanda (2009).

Memberships

  • American Association for Agricultural Education (2024–present).
  • Rwanda Agriculture Inputs Dealers Association, RAIDA (2018–present).

Languages

Kinyarwanda (Native) · English (Fluent) · French (Fluent)

Research Skills

  • Qualitative and quantitative survey research and instrument development.
  • Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression.
  • Program evaluation, monitoring, and applied research reporting.

Software

SPSS · Microsoft Office Suite