The Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence has appointed its first dedicated, full-time director. Beginning March 3, Megan Roberts will oversee the operations of the Center. Established in 2013 as a Minnesota State system Center of Excellence, the Center today includes seven member colleges and universities: South Central College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Riverland Community College, Rochester Community and Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University and Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Based on the North Mankato Campus of South Central College, which serves as the lead institution for the Center, Roberts will further the organization’s mission of aligning students with the resources of academic institutions and industry to develop and sustain the workforce needs of agriculture in Southern Minnesota.
“For the past decade the Center built a solid foundation supporting agriculture in Southern Minnesota, and I am honored to be selected to lead the Center's work as we take it to the next level,” said Roberts. “It's an exciting time to be promoting agriculture and agriculture careers in this region as new and diverse food and agricultural producers, companies, and education programs continue to take root in our area.”
Roberts was an Agribusiness Instructor at South Central College from 2012-2017 before moving on to her current position as Extension Educator in Agricultural Business Management at the University of Minnesota Regional Office in Mankato where she has served since 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Plant Science from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Science in Policy from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education through a joint doctoral program of Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.
“Dr. Roberts not only has an impressive educational background, she is also highly regarded throughout Southern Minnesota for her many contributions to advancing agriculture in the region,” said South Central College President Dr. Annette Parker. “The Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence and its partners are fortunate to have someone of her caliber at the helm.”
The relationships Roberts has already established in the ag community will be beneficial to her success as director of the Center, which includes approximately 30 industry and organizational partners.
Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence Advisory Board Chairman Bob Zelenka, who is the past Executive Director of the MN Grain and Feed Association, said, “The Advisory Board is thrilled to welcome Megan as the Center’s new Director as we continue to work together to advance agricultural education and industry collaboration in our region." GreenSeam Director Sam Ziegler, who also sits on the Advisory Board, stressed the importance of this position to the regional ag economy. “Our region is an ag powerhouse not just locally, but globally, generating $36 billion in economic impact annually,” said Ziegler. “This position is all about aligning our Minnesota State colleges and universities with the needs of our farmers and ag companies ranging from food processing and distribution to renewable fuels. These businesses will only be as successful as the talent they have access to and that is why GreenSeam is so proud to partner with the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence.”
Prior to Roberts’ appointment as director, Brad Schloesser directed the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence while simultaneously serving as Dean of Agriculture for South Central College, a role he has held since 2012 following an illustrious ag teaching career at SCC that began in 1992. In his continued role as Dean, he will be able to focus all his efforts on furthering South Central College’s 50+ year history of providing outstanding education.
“I'm so pleased to be supporting Brad in his role as the Dean of Agriculture at South Central College, along with all the deans and agricultural programs of Minnesota State in this region,” said Roberts.
