Chance Brooks, a professor and associate chair of Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences, has been appointed Interim Associate Dean for Academic & Student Programs for the university's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, officials announced today (May 28). He will step into his new role on June 1.

“Dr. Brooks brings many years of experience to this role,” said CASNR Acting Dean Cindy Akers. “He has been recognized on the national level for excellence in teaching, and his experience and perspective will be a great addition to the college administration.”

In 2019, Brooks was awarded the Texas Tech Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award, one of the highest faculty honors in the university system. The award recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in teaching, service to the teaching profession, service to students, professional growth and scholarly activity.  

In addition, a strong commitment to teaching garnered Brooks the Non-Land-Grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities' Distinguished Educator Award in 2016, and the USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2014).

At Texas Tech, Brooks teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in meat science. His research focuses on beef tenderness and flavor, meat color and stability during storage, and the nutritive value of meat. He has also frequently presented short courses and programs for various organizations in the industry, including Texas Beef Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Currently, Brooks advises more than 130 undergraduate students, and serves as club advisor for the Texas Tech University Meat Science Association. His student evaluation scores for instructor performance consistently rank him among the top teachers at the university. Separately, Brooks has authored or co-authored 22 educational publications and videos, and served as instructor in 65 education programs.

A native of Meadow, Texas,  Brooks earned his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech in 1994 and his master's degree in 1997, both in animal science, before earning his doctoral degree in meat science from Texas A&M in 2000. He began his tenure at Texas Tech in 2003, after serving three years at Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses, and conducted numerous beef, pork and lamb research projects.

CONTACT: Cindy Akers, Acting Dean, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.akers@ttu.edu

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