Lincoln, Neb. —
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I have the pleasure of serving as Department Head of Animal Science.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I love serving people! Coming to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Science Department allows me to serve the faculty, staff, students, and our industry partners daily, and at the same time, give back to the department where I started my career pathway as an undergraduate student.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy getting to know the people in the department and the industries we serve and watching them connect in ways that will benefit each other and those around them. At State FFA Convention John Cook told all the students that when he starts each day, he asks himself ‘who needs me today?’ This resonated with me and is what I enjoy the most – helping people get one step closer to their goal every day.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
This is a hard question, but what comes to mind is surviving a new class prep on top of work responsibilities with two young children while also getting a start on all the paperwork that was required after we lost our house in a wildfire just weeks before the fall semester started in 2012.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
The family farm that I grew up on south of Ashland has been in the family for more than 100 years and is still operational today.
What is your life like outside of work?
My children are 16 and 13 – my life outside of work is supporting and cheering them on whether that be while they are on the court (volleyball), on the field (football), or prepping for FFA contests.