Meet Ruby Hoffer: A journey shaped by nature, community and growth

Major: Park Management and Conservation

Expected graduation year: Spring 2028

Hometown: Lawrence, KS

 

When deciding to attend college, what made you choose K-State and the College of Agriculture?

Growing up, I spent most of my time outside. The first time I went camping, I was three months old. From an early age, I developed a strong connection to the outdoors and a commitment to stewardship. I want to encourage other people to enjoy it too. It’s a huge part of my life and who I am.

The College of Ag is what drew me to K-State. I was looking for a specific program that would allow me to work on federal lands. The Park Management and Conservation (PMC) program is tailored to what I want to do, and it's not offered at many colleges. My academic visit went very well. I talked to the faculty in my major, and they were amazing. I knew they would be there for me, and it was exciting to be part of a great program.

What kind of hands-on learning have you experienced in your major?

There are many hands-on learning opportunities in the PMC program. One of my favorite classes included a three-hour lab every week, where we went out to the Konza or Pillsbury Crossing. We identified different birds, amphibians and reptiles. By the end of the semester, we had a list of more than a hundred animals that we were identifying for that class.

Another hands-on experience was a recent trip to the Topeka Water Festival. It definitely solidified my passion for park management and conservation. I think the faculty saw a different side of me in that class. In my first semester of college, I was struggling to adjust, but going out in the field, working with kids and doing what I love brought me out of my shell and back to what I’m passionate about. I think my professors saw that too, and encouraged me to stay motivated through the tough times.

Hands-on learning adds a level of balance to my day. I'm not sitting in a classroom all day. I'm in the classroom for a little while, then I go outside. There is a personal balance in my life that I think helps let my brain breathe. I can study different pictures of birds, but it's not the same as going out into the field and spotting them by myself through my binoculars from hundreds of feet away. It's a completely different experience, and that's what you're going to do when a park guest asks you to identify that bird. You get to practice that here, and it is definitely helpful.

What clubs or organizations are you a part of on campus?

I'm the vice president and director of communications for the Association of Residence Halls. The organization is about programming and advocacy within the residence halls. I am able to serve the community where I live. In my role, I also serve as national communications coordinator for our regional and national affiliated organizations. I delegate which conferences we attend in the fall and spring semesters; that's the most fun part of my role.

I'm also the vice president of engagement for Students for Cultivating Change. It is a club focused on advocating for underrepresented voices in agriculture. I help pick what we do in our meetings and plan our program. I'm working on bringing in speakers to communicate with our members, as well as different opportunities like volunteering and tabling events. It can be a little bit scary and uncomfortable coming into a space knowing that you're different from the majority of people here. Students for Cultivating Change is about being okay with becoming comfortable in those spaces and expressing yourself. We get to talk to professionals who have faced challenges in their agricultural careers.

I'm also a Horticulture and Natural Resources ambassador. That program is new. There are the general College of Agriculture ambassadors, but we wanted something specifically for our department. It includes horticulture, park management and conservation, wildlife and outdoor enterprise management. Since those majors are a little smaller than other programs, we wanted to create something very specific. There are two or three of us from each major who participate in various recruitment events. We are out during Open House in April and talking to students there. We get a table at the College of Ag day at basketball games, we do activities, talk to incoming students and attend events. It is a chance to explain what we do, why we love it and why we think they should do it as well.

What are your other interests and hobbies outside of outdoor activities?

When I was in middle and high school, I participated heavily in theater. It was another huge part of my life. Acting is something I can do no matter where I am. I can get involved in a community theater or production, and there's always a path to do so.

I'm on K-State’s improv team on campus, On the Spot. We perform improv comedy every Monday night and have a good following. It’s a lot of fun. There's a community built around that. I thought about getting involved in theater in college, but comedy is a great way for me to keep up with that part of life. I still get a performance in once a week while I'm pursuing what I love academically.

What do you think sets K-State apart from other universities?

K-State has a strong sense of camaraderie among its students. You're walking around campus, and everywhere you look, there's purple. Even when you don't know everybody, there is still a sense of kinship with everyone on campus. I love walking through campus and seeing people smiling at you, even if you don't know them. It brightens your day, and that's something I don’t think you can find elsewhere.