Introducing the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Change often begins with challenges and 2025 brought significant changes to Utah State University. The Utah Legislature mandated budget cuts, program changes, and proposals for reinvestments in the state’s public colleges and universities. Among the changes at USU wasmerging the former College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS), the Quinney College of Natural Resources, and the Department of Geosciences, from the former College of Science, to form the new S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

Our name is new, and the configurations of some programs and departments will evolve, but the colleges’ shared roots run deep. Agriculture and natural resource research and scholarship are thehistoric foundation of USU and its mission of serving people across the state. Though the merger began as a directive, it will create pathways to new opportunities for students and faculty collaboration.

Across our programs and disciplines, we are united by a commitment to understanding andsustaining the systems that support life—food, water, land, air, individual growth, andcommunities. Together, we can strengthen our ability to provide students with opportunities to develop skills across a broad range of career paths.

Named to honor significant ongoing support from the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney Foundation, thecollege includes a remarkable range of degree and certificate programs that were collectively the “applied sciences” components of CAAS across USU’s statewide campuses. Fields including aviation, outdoor product design, family and consumer sciences, technology and engineeringeducation, welding, construction, and health sciences remain part of the college’s offerings.

USU’s commitment to technical degrees and certificates is a significant part of our land-grantmission to expand education and career opportunities in rural communities. What connects us all is a shared conviction to meaningful research and the power of hands-on learning and research opportunities that prepare students for purposeful careers and lifelong learning.

We look forward to sharing news of the college with you in future print and electronic editions of Horizons. In this issue, you’ll find stories of people and projects that embody our shared purpose and optimism and find reasons to be proud of being part of the Quinney College, and Utah State University’s legacy.