Episode Details

In this episode, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Kayla Rathmann from Texas Tech University's Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Kayla shares her West Texas roots, her family's deep ties to agriculture and livestock judging, and her unexpected path into academic advising. She reflects on Texas Tech's remarkable growth from 368 to 1,500 students over 20 years, crediting strong leadership, faculty, and alumni support. Kayla discusses her mentorship philosophy, evolving student demographics, and the enduring value of judging programs. She also opens up about personal hardships that shaped her resilience and faith, offering heartfelt advice for students and parents navigating agricultural education and career decisions.