
Animal Sciences Department Head
The College of Agricultural Sciences is Looking for an Innovative and Inspirational Department Head to Lead our Animal Sciences Program
The Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University is a diverse department committed to animal science and service. Animal Sciences is motivated by a commitment to improve stewardship for livestock and the land that sustains them through intentional discovery, inclusive learning and collaborative engagement. The department has a legacy of producing graduates with an industry-oriented, science-based education that prepares them for careers in animal agriculture and to meet the global challenges of tomorrow.
The Department Head leads a talented group of individuals, including 60 faculty members, more than 30 staff and nearly 1,000 students who work and learn in state-of-the-art facilities. The department’s base budget exceeds $5 million and total expenditures exceed $13 million.
The Department Head —
- Serves as an advocate and leader for animal and equine sciences at CSU and with external constituents
- Leads the implementation of the department’s strategic plan
- Collaborates with a broad range of constituencies to steward programs that are innovative and impactful
- Provides leadership for Colorado livestock and horse industries
- Ensures excellence in scholarship, instruction, engagement, diversity, and inclusion
- Conducts performance reviews of faculty and administrative staff, and form and administer the department’s budget
Candidates
The College of Agricultural Sciences is pleased to announce three finalists for the position of Animal Sciences Department Head. On-campus interviews will take place take place in late April and early May. Candidate materials are linked below.
Patrick Doyle
April 23-25
Noa Roman-Muniz
April 25-27
Troy Ott
Search Contacts
Jan Leach
Search Chair
Associate Dean for Research
jan.leach@colostate.edu
James Pritchett
Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences
Director, Agricultural Experiment Station
james.pritchett@colostate.edu
Integrated Approach to Agriculture
The Department of Animal Sciences
Animal Sciences has the unique mission of serving Colorado’s large and diverse livestock and meat industries. Research, teaching, and extension outreach activities in the department focus on developing industry leaders and improving profitable production of food animals and horses through the application of science and technology, resource management, and food product enhancement. We emphasize addressing societal issues concerning food safety, product quality and value, animal care and management, and environmental impacts of animal agriculture.
Take a moment to review the Animal Sciences Strategic Plan.
Total Students
541 Animal Science Students
244 Equine Science Students

53
Graduate Students
728
Undergraduate Students
420
Out-of-State Students
365
In-State Students
685
Female Students
100
Male Students
%
White
%
Hispanic/Latino
%
Multiracial
%
Other
Recent Accomplishments and Points of Pride
Recent News
- CSU receives $3 million grant to study one of most common, costly problems facing organic dairy industry
- A Good Idea, 25 Years, and $1 Million Later
- Ag alumni honored with 2023 Livestock Leader Award
- Exceptional Rodeo celebrates 40 years of bringing roping, riding to children with special needs
- CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team continues winning legacy at National Western Stock Show
- Temple Grandin collaborates with UNE in Australia on landmark study to uncover the role genetics may play in horse behavior
- Caiti Peters receives NIH grant to advance research on occupational therapy in an equine environment for youth with autism
- Terry Engle recognized with American Feed Industry Association Award in Ruminant Nutrition Research
- Jennifer Martin named CSU Presidential Fellow focused on strategic planning and culture change
- CSU Named Best Educational Employer in Colorado by Forbes Magazine
Our People
Kim Stackhouse-Lawson
Director of Sustainable Livestock Systems Collaborative
Read the full SOURCE story
Craig Huffines
Director of Equine Sciences and Elite Bovine and Equine Genetics
Read the full SOURCE story
Dr. Noa Roman-Muniz
2022 CSU Best Teacher Award
Read the full SOURCE story
Temple Grandin
CSU’s 2023 Founders Day Medal
Read the full SOURCE story
Terry Engle
2022 Nutrien Distinguished Scholar Award
Our Facilities Support World Class Education and Research
With our research and education partners, we understand the importance of creating inspiring spaces to do our work and are committed to renewing and enhancing our facilities.
Equine Facilities
Animal Science Facilities
A Strong Community of Support
AgNext
A leader for research in animal and ecosystem health while enhancing profitability of the supply chain. Serves as the crossroads for producers, industry partners and researchers to come together to innovate real-time solutions for sustainability in animal agriculture.
JBS Global Food Innovation Center
Home to the Center for Meat Safety and Quality research group and the Ram Country Meats retail store.
Beef Cutout Calculator
A collaboration between CSU and the Beef Checkoff that enables cattlemen to predict approximate sub-primal yields and cutout values of beef cattle.
Ranching Legacy Program
A partnership with the Cattleman’s Association that helps ensure beginning ranchers have the skills they need to be successful. Faculty member Ryan Rhodes leads the Beef University certification.
Pet Food Alliance
Focused on issues impacting the pet food and rendering industries. Meets annually to share ideas and advance working group projects.
Student Focused Programs
Youth Horsemanship Summer Camps
We offer two “away” camp sessions for horse enthusiasts during the summer break. This is a very popular camp and it fills up quickly. Be sure to register early to get a spot.

The “Ram” Livestock Judging Camp
This three day judging camp is designed for 4-H and FFA members from ages 14-18. It’s a great prep for competitive livestock evaluation and developing oral communication skills.
Ram Country Meats
Our student run facility offers locally produced, high-quality meats for sale at competitive prices. We are proud to be a local food producer and show our customers where our food comes from.
Meat Judging Team Catering Services
A student-run and operated catering service that helps fund the CSU Meat Judging Team program and supports the supply and travel needs of the team.
CSU Rodeo Team
Holds practice for all rodeo events, hosts fundraising events, works to promote the sport of rodeo and sponsors and hosts the Skyline Stampede, the oldest collegiate rodeo in the country.
CSU Seedstock Team
Bolsters the CSU herd’s genetics and fosters hands-on learning for the cattle industry’s next generation of leaders.
Animal Sciences Events
International Livestock Forum
Hosted by the National Western Stock Show and Department of Animal Sciences.
Skyline Stampede Rodeo
March 31-April 2. The oldest collegiate rodeo in the country, in its 72nd year.
Mainstreet Mayhem Jackpot
April 30 – May 1. A fundraising event for the CSU Livestock Judging Team.
Spring Branding Awards
Recognizes our outstanding students, industry supporters, and alumni.
AG Day
CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences celebrates agriculture and the fall harvest season with the annual AgDay event.
Annual Beef Improvement Center Bull Sale
Department of Animal Sciences John E. Rouse Beef Improvement Center has an annual sale offering yearling bulls.
46th Annual CSU Bull and Female Sale
We are offering age-advantaged and altitude tested bulls and females. This year we are offering Angus, Hereford, and Polled Herefords.
Engaging Our State Webinars
A webinar discussing current topics in animal sciences.
Animal Sciences Department Head
We are excited to hear from you.