Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources recognized its first-ever '30 Under 30' class, spotlighting a distinguished group of young alumni whose achievements and leadership are shaping the future of agriculture, science, business and community engagement.
'It is an incredible honor to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our awardees, who embody innovation, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in our communities.'
The formal presentations included a full day of networking and leadership workshops, followed by an evening awards presentation on Monday (Feb. 16) at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center on the Texas Tech campus in Lubbock.
“It is an incredible honor to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our awardees, who embody innovation, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in our communities,” said Sandra Addo, program coordinator and Davis college’s Assistant Director for Recruitment & Career Development. “Their accomplishments inspire us all to aim higher and reach further.”
According to Addo, the honorees were selected for their outstanding academic accomplishments, professional excellence and contributions to their respective fields. Representing a cross-section of disciplines within Davis College, the recipients reflect the academic unit’s commitment to innovation, service and the cultivation of next-generation leaders.
Organizers expect the program to foster connections between rising alumni, current faculty, and college leadership, underscoring Davis College’s ongoing investment in alumni success and continued learning. Assisting in development and implementation of the events are Davis College Assistant Director of Development Tyler Schuster and Davis College Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Tracee Murph.
The inaugural class includes: (Name | Degree(s) | Graduation Date(s) | Hometown | Position | Company)
- Ashley Adams | B.S. Animal Science, Equine Production; M.S. Animal Science | Spring 2017, Fall 2023 | Lubbock, TX | Business Owner, Ashley Adams Media
- Kiersten Atkinson | B.S. Animal Science, Meat Science Business | Spring 2017 | Scott City, KS | Sales Manager, Raider Red Meats
- Denny Burdean Atchley | Dual B.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics & B.B.A General Business | Fall 2024 | Las Cruces, NM | Associate Director of Membership & Affiliate Services Manager, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
- Zachary Buckley | B.S. Animal Science, Meat Science Business | Spring 2020 | Clovis, CA | Unit Manager, Raider Red Meats
- Claire Cleveland | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2019 | Lubbock, TX | Director of Marketing, Brady & Hamilton, LLP
- Elizabeth Corbett | B.S. Agricultural Communications; M.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2019, Spring 2022 | Mason, MI | Senior Communication Specialist, Covenant Health
- Dylan Davidson | B.S. Agricultural Communications; M.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2020, Spring 2022 | Childress, TX | Director of Marketing & Creative Design, American Paint Horse Association
- Jessica Dorsey | B.S. Agricultural Leadership | Fall 2019 | Claude, TX | Product Manager, BASF
- Sidney Dunkel | B.S. Animal Science, Equine Production | Spring 2021 | Archer City, TX | Instructor of Animal Sciences, West Texas A&M University
- Lindsay Dube | Dual B.S. Agricultural Communications & B.S. Creative Media Industries | Spring 2023 | Thorndale, TX | Copywriting Intern, Idea Peddler
- Lindsay Francis | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2018 | Saint Hedwig, TX | Assistant Director of Communications, Tourism & Events, City of Temple
- Alexes Healton | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Summer 2022 | Burkburnett, TX | Content Developer, iCev
- Kaden Hicks | B.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics | Spring 2018 | Hereford, TX | CFO/Licensed Commodity Broker, May or May Not Livestock
- Victoria Huckaby | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2022 | Post, TX | Marketing Specialist, Kubota Tractor Corporation
- Kylie Kitten | B.S. Agricultural Communications; M.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2023, Fall 2024 | Chowchilla, CA | Director of Communications, Quarterway Cotton
- Keni Reese Lairy | B.S. in Agricultural Communications, Minor in Agribusiness Management, Equine Science Certificate | Spring 2019 | Krum, TX | Director of Marketing & Communications, Montana Stockgrowers Association
- Tyllor Ledford | B.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics, M.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics |, Fall 2019, Summer 2021| Durango, CO | Assistant Regional Director for South & Southeast Asia, U.S. Wheat Associates
- Conner McKinzie | B.S. Animal Science, Meat Science; M.S. Animal Science | Spring 2021, Spring 2023 | Stephenville, TX | Agricultural Science Teacher & FFA Advisor, Lubbock ISD- AgriSTEM Complex
- Mark Nall | B.S. Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Biology | Summer 2017 | Shannon, TX | Senior Research Associate, Corteva Agriscience
- Kamron Newberry | B.S. Plant & Soil Science, M.S. Horticulture Science | Spring 2021, Spring 2023 | Wolfforth, TX | Regulatory & Trade Policy Coordinator, AmericanHort
- Payton Priest | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2019 | Canyon, TX | Associate Director of Development, TTU School of Vet Medicine
- Joseph Rosenwinkel | Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | Spring 2023 | Kingwood, TX | Director of Operations, U.S. Congressman Tony Gonzales
- Alexandra Salinas | B.S. Agricultural Leadership, M.S. Agricultural Education | Fall 2022, Spring 2024 | Mission, TX | Ph.D. Student - Agricultural Communications, Education, & Leadership, The Ohio State University
- Ryleigh Semanchik | M.S. Agricultural Communications | Spring 2023 | Great Meadows, NJ | Territory Sales, Marketing Manager & Equine Nutrition Consultant, Bluebonnet Feeds
- Madison Shults | B.S. Animal Science | Spring 2020 | Meeker, CO | Beef Territory Manager, Merck Animal Health
- Shalynn Sumrow | B.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics, M.S. Agricultural & Applied Economics | Spring 2020, Spring 2022 | Mount Vernon, TX | Agricultural Marketing Specialist/Agricultural Economist, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
- Caroline Wall | B.S. Animal Science, Equine Assisted Therapy | Fall 2023 | Dallas, TX | Owner/Head Trainer, Collinear Equestrian
- Conner Watts | B.S. Plant & Soil Science, Minor in Animal Science | Spring 2022 | Lubbock, TX | Farmer, DCW Farms, LLC
- Nick Wilson | B.S. Plant & Soil Science | Summer 2023 | Plano, TX | Master’s Student, Texas Tech Davis College
- Matthew Winterholler-Throckmorton | B.S. Agricultural Communications | Summer 2019 | Gilette, WY | Senior Manager, Farmer & External Communication, Dairy MAX
CONTACT: Sandra Addo, Program Manager for Career Pathways, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or sandra.addo@ttu.edu
0216NM26