Alumni Spotlight
Name: Mindy Ward
Current Title: Director of Client Services
Organization: Nutrition Solutions
Major: M.S. Animal Nutrition '96
K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!
Why did you choose K-State for graduate school?
I applied to three different colleges. I knew K-State had a really strong swine nutrition program, and also a successful livestock judging team. I was very involved with livestock judging while completing my undergrad at Colorado State University, so K-State’s team factored into my decision. I was also influenced by Dr. Bob Hines. At the time, he was a professor in the swine program, and we had a long conversation when he was judging at the Colorado State Fair. He was my deciding factor.
What sets the College of Agriculture apart from others?
K-State does a really good job with applied animal science. Classes teach you chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry where you learn to understand nutrition at the cellular level. The research we conducted was very practical and aligned with the industry. We repopulated the farm and brought in genetics that were similar to the commercial pork industry. It helped make my research more applicable, as I could understand what was happening commercially while still being in the classroom.
Do you have a favorite professor who impacted your college experience?
I think they all had an impact, because they were all diverse in their thinking. Dr. Hines was my major professor, and he was great. He judged swine shows nationwide, and we bonded deeply over that shared passion. Dr. Joe Hancock was well-versed in international production and worked with a lot of international students, so that allowed me to stretch myself and understand global production.
Dr. Keith Behnke, who was in the Grain and Food Science Department, opened my eyes to the processing and manufacturing side of the industry. It helped as I went on in my career, and I think it really helped shape my success.
What research did you conduct while at K-State?
I conducted a lot of smaller research projects with the different graduate students and faculty members. Some of the research revolved around feeder designs, finding out what the pigs preferred, different types of ingredients and their impact on feed efficiency and growth rates. My major project evaluated boars and barrows growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality. What I selected was very diversified; there were reproductive elements, nutrition standpoints and slaughter aspects. Being able to tackle different angles enabled me to expand on a lot of different disciplinary areas.
What's one of your favorite aspects about your job?
I’ve moved from the commercial livestock industry into the pet food industry, and it’s been really interesting to see how different the two are. Nutritionally, there’s a lot of similarities between the types of animals we work with. When it comes to ingredient approval processes and regulatory it’s a lot more challenging in the pet food industry.
I really enjoy networking with a different industry. I know the livestock industry fairly well, and a lot of them do cross over into the pet industry, but I’ve really been able to expand. I also enjoy being challenged every day. Sometimes, you get into a certain role where you’re doing the same thing and you know the job well, but you’re not challenged. With this job, I’m challenged every day and I’m always learning. It keeps me motivated.
As the parent of a K-State student, why did you feel comfortable sending them to Manhattan?
When our daughter was growing up, we exposed her to a lot of different junior and senior colleges so that she knew what was out there. So many kids don’t really understand the possibilities or opportunities that exist. After two years at a junior college in Illinois, she transferred to K-State. It’s where her father and I met, so of course we had allegiance to it, but in the end it was her decision. The people, professors and culture are amazing, and we knew our daughter would be in very good hands if she went to K-State.
What advice do you have for other parents whose kids are thinking about K-State?
Definitely visit the university. Make sure you get a good tour, learn about the program they’re looking into, understand the curriculum, housing and tuition. Find out if it’s really a fit. More than likely it will be, because it’s such a great university with a strong community. I don’t think anybody could go wrong.