Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is visiting with new Vice President and Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Jayson Lusk.
Dr. Lusk will replace Dr. Thomas Coon and begin his duties early August of 2023. Up until 2017, Lusk said he served 13 years on faculty at OSU spending most of his time looking at consumer demand and food policy issues and studying meat and livestock markets.
“About the last three or four years I was at Oklahoma State, I started getting a lot more involved in public outreach about food and agriculture and engaging the broader public on issues around agricultural productivity and the importance of agricultural science and technology,” Lusk said. “Through some of those conversations, I thought that maybe I could have an opportunity to have a bigger impact if I took on some more administrative roles.”
When a department head job opened up at Purdue University, Lusk said he tool the opportunity to be in a leadership role at one of the largest agricultural economics departments in the country.
“So that is where I have been for the last six years, and it has been a great experience to be in that part of the world and to be head of one of the largest and most successful agricultural economics departments in the country,” Lusk said.
Lusk said he is looking forward to getting back to OSU and learning what the challenges and needs are from students and faculty. Lusk added he has many goals as he joins the OSU family once again, as he also plans to continue support of projects from Dr. Coon such as the New Frontiers Ag Hall and improving the facilities on campus for students and researchers to better the lives of Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers.
“Really thrilled to come back to Oklahoma,” Lusk said. “It feels like home, and I am excited to be there and look forward to engaging with everybody when I get into town.”
