Student-centered learning is imperative for the success of agricultural courses. To embody this, the Growing Graduates from the Ground Up program was formed. Through a “Students as Partners” collaboration embedded in this program, two undergraduate students worked alongside a professor in the creation of a pilot undergraduate course, Advocacy Strategies in Agriculture. This course is an upper- level, agricultural education and advocacy course that focuses on developing the next generation of “agvocates”. Within this partnership, the instructor and two student partners co-designed experiential learning assignments and evaluations that aligned with these objectives: (1) applying advocacy theory to real-world situations, (2) developing agricultural messages across multiple platforms, and (3) engaging effectively with diverse audiences. Part of the student-instructor collaboration entailed students assisting in the development of evaluation rubrics, refining event logistics, and engaging in ongoing reflective conversations about classroom experiences and effective student learning. Through biweekly meetings, faculty and student partners collectively constructed two major course projects: a community-based town hall and a culminating advocacy day. Rather than resorting to traditional exams, the students acquired knowledge by presenting advocacy topics to local stakeholders, responding to questions from community change agents, and participating in an on-campus agricultural advocacy event where students translate course concepts into practice. While this work is ongoing, these experiential learning projects are expected to foster greater student confidence, deeper understanding of agricultural advocacy strategies, and increased readiness to engage in professional spaces. Evidence will be gathered through student reflections, focus group feedback, and instructor observations. This presentation highlights how student-faculty partnerships can support authentic, community-engaged learning that prioritizes collaboration and real-world application over traditional assessment models.