Rooted in Agriculture, Driven by Purpose
Agriculture has always been at the center of my life. I grew up on a diversified livestock and tree farm, where I was active in 4-H and FFA. Later, I raised cattle and forage while raising my family on the farm. Those experiences showed me firsthand how the land-grant system changes lives by connecting research to people — a promise that has shaped my career and continues to drive my work.
The land-grant mission is more than history; it is a living promise. I first experienced it through 4-H leaders like JoAnn and Amy, who encouraged me to grow and find my place in agriculture. Over the past fifteen years, I’ve carried that promise forward through professional roles in higher education, Extension, and industry. From directing communications and marketing while collaborating with enrollment and alumni at Fort Hays State University to creating a unified strategy for the Western Kansas Research-Extension Centers to scaling the multi-state TAPS program, I’ve built a career at the intersection of research, communications, and agriculture. Each step has deepened my belief that communication is essential to fulfilling the land-grant promise.
For me, communications is the connective tissue of the land-grant mission, linking research to people, people to education, and education back to community impact. Over the past 15 years, I have developed strategies that strengthened enrollment pipelines, deepened alumni connections, and enhanced agricultural research for statewide, national, and global audiences. This role’s focus on recruitment, research visibility, and alumni relations reflects exactly the work I have been doing throughout my career. I have always wanted — and hope to remain — tied to land-grant communications and agriculture, because it is where my passion, skills, and purpose intersect.
Leadership Philosophy
I believe leadership in communications begins with service. Servant leadership calls us to listen first, remove barriers, and create space where others can thrive. I lead with that posture, coaching and mentoring colleagues, providing training opportunities, and elevating voices so every person feels valued and equipped.
I am also drawn to the vision and energy of transformational leadership. I aim to set strategy and inspire through shared purpose, but I also believe in working alongside my team, rolling up my sleeves, tackling challenges together, and encouraging innovation that moves us forward.
For me, leadership is about cultivating trust, sparking momentum, and aligning strategy with mission. In a land-grant context, that means blending humility with vision: serving today’s needs while inspiring new possibilities for the future.
How I Work
I believe communication starts with listening. Every strategy should begin with the audience, guided by authentic stories and measurable data. I believe that tactics should blend creativity and art with best practices in how we understand how people learn and communicate effectively. I lead with strategy, listen with intention, and build systems that help teams and partners succeed.
Communications, for me, isn’t just about campaigns or outputs — it’s about trust, connection, and momentum. By blending research with application, I help turn complex ideas into strategies that move people and create lasting impact.
- Audience-First: Every plan starts with understanding who we’re speaking to and what matters to them.
- Data + Story: I combine analytics with authentic storytelling to build strategies that are both credible and relatable.
- Collaborative: I thrive on connecting researchers, alumni, industry, and community partners to advance the land-grant mission together.
- Practical & Creative: My work bridges strategic vision with hands-on execution — from leading teams and budgets to writing, photography, and digital design.
