Why did you decide to come to Texas Tech University?

"Coming to Tech was a decision I made after I had chosen to start college at another university. After playing baseball for Wayland Baptist and studying biology, I came to the realization that to really accomplish my career goals, I needed to be at an agricultural school. At the time, it was a tough decision, but it turned out to be the best decision of my life."

What are your future career goals?

"As a professional, I expect to serve and improve the agriculture industry. Currently, I am studying pre-veterinary medicine and applying to vet schools known for large animal practice. However, I am also considering master's programs in animal sciences and ranch management. Because of my education at Tech, I will be prepared to enter into any of these fields of study."

What is your advice to high school students interested in this field of study?

"The value of an education in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources goes beyond just a diploma. Every day of classes for four years, students have the opportunity to communicate with some of the most well-known professors and researchers in the country, gain insight to industry problems and solutions, and make bonds with a large number of students their age – all of whom wish to have a career in the agriculture industry. I never knew how much I was holding myself back before I came here. Experiencing the school spirit and the lifestyle Lubbock offers is also something that you can't just find anywhere. Texas Tech is a special place as a whole, but the Department of Animal and Food Sciences is ahead of the curve nationally and improving every year."

What was your favorite part of Texas Tech?

"My favorite part of Texas Tech is the size. I come from a small town. I wasn't too sure of how much I would like living in a place with a much larger population, but Lubbock has shown me a whole new way of looking at things. Nowhere else would I have been able to expose myself to the number of people I have met, the connections I have made, or been able to experience the number of education-building clubs, teams, and jobs that I have."

For more information about the Department of Animal and Food Sciences' undergraduate degree plans, please contact Kayla Rathmann at kayla.rathmann@ttu.edu.