Fernandez Named Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education

J. Marcos Fernandez joined the college on March 1 as associate dean for undergraduate education. He came to Penn State from his post as associate dean for student services in the College of Agriculture at Louisiana State University.

Reporting to the dean of the college, the associate dean for undergraduate education supports faculty and staff excellence in teaching and advising; coordinates student recruitment and retention programs; leads curricular revitalization efforts and enhances globalization of teaching and learning activities; and administers and expands the college’s scholarship programs.

“Marcos Fernandez combines a superior record of teaching and research with exceptional knowledge of academic affairs and student services,” said Dean Robert Steele in announcing the appointment. “His experience and energy make him the right person to help us continue our efforts to revitalize our curricula, reinvigorate recruiting, and help prepare well-rounded, global-ready students.”

As associate dean at LSU, Fernandez oversaw all student-related matters for a college of 1,600 undergraduates enrolled across 13 academic programs. His office administered student recruitment and retention, scholarships and awards, advising, academic discipline, student clubs and organizations, study abroad opportunities, and undergraduate curriculum.

Fernandez joined the LSU faculty as assistant professor of animal science in 1991. He was promoted to associate professor in 1994 and earned the rank of full professor in 1999. From 1986 to 1991, he served as assistant research professor at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma.

Fernandez earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Illinois State University in 1980. From 1981 to 1986, he was a research and teaching assistant at the University of Tennessee and at North Carolina State University while earning master’s and doctoral degrees, respectively, in animal science.

His research has focused on metabolism and nutrition in livestock species, including cattle, sheep, and goats. He has published nearly 70 articles in refereed scientific journals, 10 invited papers, more than 180 abstracts in proceedings from scientific meetings, and more than 60 articles in the popular press, trade journals, and bulletins.

Fernandez has taught several introductory and advanced agriculture and animal science courses and has been recognized with numerous teaching awards and honors. He has been active in many professional organizations, university committees, and governmental panels.

Penn State Agriculture recently spoke with Fernandez about his new position.

Why were you interested in this position at Penn State?

The legacy and reputation of Penn State and the College of Agricultural Sciences being what they are—among the finest in the country—was a draw. Since my college days (umpteen years ago!) I have been familiar with Penn State for its outstanding academic reputation, athletic prowess, and, of course, being one of the premier land-grant institutions. The thought of being part of this outstanding college and university was exciting and appealing to me.

What role do you think agricultural education at a land-grant university should play in today’s society?

America’s standing as a leader in the global community is in large measure due to efforts realized through the land-grant system. Each part in the trifold mission of our land-grant system—teaching, research, and outreach—contributed to this success. Educating our nation’s citizens state by state and community by community, investigating topics of regional importance and concern, and providing timely research-based information and recommendations to individuals, industries, and government agencies allowed us to maintain an intelligent, progressive, and productive workforce. It is no different today. In this day and age, when there is an ever-increasing demand on our agricultural and renewable natural resources, a renewed awareness of environmental, community, and food-security issues, and a need to develop and train the next generation of industry, community, and global leaders, land-grant institutions such as Penn State must reclaim their unique mission amongst institutions of higher learning, leading and guiding us well into the twenty-first century and beyond.

Recruiting and attracting students is the lifeblood of any institution. However, agricultural colleges around the country—including ours—have seen a troubling trend of declining enrollments. What do you think can or should be done to reverse this trend?

We need to realize that we have a wonderful college here at Penn State—one that is recognized and respected the world over as one of the finest anywhere! Past, present, and future, agriculture and renewable natural resources are integral to thriving economies and vibrant communities. And, yes, we are proud of our past successes and recognize our heritage, but we are also a college looking toward the future. We need to reach out to prospective students, their families, teachers, and counselors, among others, and do a better job of educating them about what we are all about. We need to inform them of the myriad of professional and career opportunities that our alumni enjoy. Moreover, ours is a value-adding profession — educating, training, and developing our students — and, therefore, we must maintain our commitment to excellence in teaching. Across the country, colleges of agriculture are known for their student-centered approach and for preparing quality workforce- and society-ready graduates. It is no different here at Penn State. Unfortunately, the word is not getting out like we would hope and like, and it seems that our programs are some of the best-kept secrets in educational circles. In short, I guess, we have some educating and re-educating to do, and we need to recapture some of that Penn State Ag Sciences pride.

How has your research program strengthened you as an educator?

Simple: teamwork. My area of research—animal nutritional and metabolic physiology with emphasis on ruminant species—afforded me the opportunity to interact and collaborate with many researchers. Everyone brought a distinct perspective, contribution, or talent to the project, making it stronger and more complete. The majority of studies and grants that I participated in became interdisciplinary in nature—a systems approach. The result was a stronger and more integrated, indeed, more successful effort for all involved. I grin fondly looking back and realizing that those were valuable “ life lessons” learned in the research lab.

You’ve won many teaching awards. How would you describe your teaching philosophy?

I consider my efforts in teaching and interactions with students to be more of a “life calling” than a “career choice.” Also, I believe in our students’ abilities and in their potential to contribute to a better tomorrow. Having said that, my teaching philosophy can be expressed in three words: challenge, excite, and nurture. First, challenge students to learn above and beyond what they themselves believe they are capable of learning (I have high expectations of myself and of our students). Second, excite students about the subject matter and their opportunity to become part of the solution to challenges and problems in their chosen fields. I want them to know that there is room for them to contribute, to have an impact in the advancement of their professions and in the well-being of our communities. And third, nurture the development of our students by providing them with the information, tools, incentives, and support system necessary for them to master the subject matter, all in an encouraging learning environment.

You’ve spent most of your career at Louisiana State University. What about your time at LSU are you most proud of?

Without a doubt, I am most proud of our students and their successes. As a whole, our college had outstanding students, and many achieved great things during their years at LSU. In contrast to national trends in ag-related enrollments, our student enrollments in the College of Agriculture at LSU were increasing. Moreover, the students we were attracting to LSU were better qualified than ever before to handle the academic rigors and nuances of university life. Many of our students were natural leaders, whereas others discovered their leadership abilities during their time at LSU. As a college and as a faculty, we stressed the development of the “complete student.” Leading the university in this effort, our college provided many venues and opportunities for our students to learn and grow, both inside and outside the traditional setting of the classroom, believing that the college educational experience was not limited solely to what took place within the lecture halls. So, yes, working with these students provided me with my greatest satisfaction and joy.

Where are you from?

I was born in Havana, Cuba. In 1963, when I was barely five years of age, I arrived in the United States with my mother on one of the last “Freedom Flights” out of Cuba. We lived in Maywood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where I completed all of my schooling. I still have friends in the area, and I get to visit them every once in a while.

Tell us about your family.

You asked me earlier what about my time at LSU I was most proud of and I answered “my students.” If you had asked me what in my life I was most proud of, then I would have to reply “my family.” I have a neat family! My wife, Sheila, is from east Tennessee near the Smokey Mountains National Park, from a town called Maryville. We are best of friends. Sheila and I have three daughters (Julia, Stephanie, and Ligia) and a son (Michael). Julia and her husband, John, are both ag alumni from LSU (ornamental horticulture and animal science, respectively) and live near Natchez, Mississippi. Michael works for computing services at LSU, while Stephanie is currently a first-year student in the College of Agriculture at LSU (in apparel design). Both Michael and Stephanie will stay at LSU. Our youngest, Ligia, will be attending Penns Valley High School, where she will be a sophomore. All are wonderfully special and unique in their own ways, and as parents, we are very proud of them all.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I believe that as storied and notable as our college’s history is, I would like to think that better days are still ahead of us. I have found the people in the college, at Penn State, and in the region to be very hospitable and supportive to me and my family. We hope to meet many of you in the near future. My family and I look forward to a long and fruitful stay at Penn State and in Pennsylvania.

—Chuck Gill