Jones Named Outstanding Mentor to Undergraduate Researchers

Kansas State University is recognizing Dr. Cassie Jones, K-State animal sciences and industry professor and teaching coordinator, for being an outstanding mentor to undergraduate researchers.

Shortly after her arrival in the animal sciences and industry department, Jones assumed a role as coordinator of undergraduate research in 2017. She recognized the need to provide more research opportunities and established a course-based, hands-on undergraduate research experience. Jones also serves as the animal science and industry department's teaching coordinator where she continually looks at approaches to improve the department's academic programs while guiding the program in its endeavors. Jones leads scholarship of teaching efforts in the department, having generated more than $700,000 in grants and gifts and publishing four peer-reviewed manuscripts.

“It is a privilege to work at an institution where commitment to teaching and student mentorship is recognized,” Jones said. “The true credit for this award belongs to the entire animal sciences and industry department for their investment and support of undergraduate research as researchers, advisors, and staff. Mentoring undergraduate research is rarely an easy task, so I sincerely thank my colleagues who continue to help us provide learning opportunities in our animal laboratories and farms so that students can gain hands-on experience and learn to use data to make science-based decisions.”

Jones is the recipient of the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Excellence in College and University Regional Teaching Award for Food and Agriculture Sciences and the 2021 Mortar Board Outstanding Faculty Award.

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The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills.