Lincoln, Neb. -
What is your background before coming to the University of Nebraska Lincoln?
Prior to joining the faculty at UNL, I was the Manager of Livestock Audit Services for FSNS C&A and led the development of the on-farm audit division of the company.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am a member of the Animal Science faculty with an appointment that includes extension, research, and teaching.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I wasn’t actively looking for a job when I was contacted by one of my colleagues at UNL and asked to apply for a new position that had just been created, focusing on Animal Behavior and Welfare. I was attracted to the diversity of people, resources, and opportunities that Nebraska offers. The facilities and faculty are among the top in the nation, and it’s timely that the NU system is expanding to include animal behavior and welfare, based on growing scrutiny of animal agriculture and increasing demands for curriculum and research in this discipline.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I am energized by the enthusiasm of students for learning and am dedicated to equipping tomorrow’s leaders with the tools they need to ensure the future of agriculture in an ever-changing world.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Without a doubt, my greatest achievement is my son. His intelligence, compassion, critical thinking skills, and work ethic inspire me and motivate me to be and do my best every day, but he also reminds me that my professional work is equally important.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
My first outside job involved working with honeybees, which probably explains my deep appreciation for the significant contributions of Karl von Frisch to the study of animal behavior (he won the Nobel Prize!).
What is your life like outside of work?
That’s a hard one for me. I chose work that I care about so deeply that I struggle to prioritize time for myself. I love to travel and have had a chance to see some incredible places because of my job. Last year, I visited Kona, HI to provide cattle handling training and demonstrations.
