Dear colleagues,
I am delighted to let you know that Dr. Clay Mathis has been appointed as the next head of the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, effective October 1.
Dr. Mathis is an acclaimed educator, researcher and administrator who will help the department continue to build its reputation as a preeminent leader in animal science education and research.
He will be joining us from the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where he has served as the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Endowed Chair and director since 2010.
Under his leadership, the King Ranch Institute expanded its mission to include research, welcoming new endowed faculty members and doctoral trainees. Dr. Mathis also developed and maintained the institute’s master’s curriculum in ranch management. He also led his students and faculty to complete more than 120 service-learning projects with more than 50 ranches in North and South America.
Prior to that, he spent 12 years at New Mexico State University as an extension livestock specialist.
Dr. Mathis is also no stranger to our Department of Animal Science: He earned his bachelor’s and his master’s here in 1993 and 1995, respectively. He earned his doctorate in ruminant nutrition in 1998 at Kansas State University.
He is vice-chair of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group and a co-chair of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Innovations Hub External Advisory Board. In addition, he was a charter member of the board of directors for the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and has been active in service with the American Society of Animal Science. He is a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, American Quarter Horse Association, the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and the Texas Wildlife Association, among other organizations.
As we prepare to welcome Dr. Mathis, a very special thanks goes to Dr. Herring for serving as interim department head since March 2022. He truly embraces all aspects of the Aggie Core Values, and his leadership will be vital in helping Dr. Mathis as he begins his new role.
Please join me in thanking Dr. Herring and welcoming Dr. Mathis to our leadership team!
Thank you and Gig ’em,
Jeffrey W. Savell
Vice Chancellor and Dean, Agriculture and Life Sciences