Dr. Kelsi Opat is an assistant professor of agricultural communications within the agribusiness, agriculture education, and communications department at the Darr College of Agriculture. Opat teaches agricultural communication students the fundamentals of digital communication, graphic design, and writing for agriculture-based publications.
Opat completed her undergraduate degree in agricultural communications at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. She then traveled to Wichita, Kansas, where she received her master’s in business law at Friends University. Opat concluded her education by graduating from Texas Tech University again, receiving her Ph.D. in agricultural communications and education.
Opat taught per course classes for the College of Agriculture. Once she heard about the open full-time position at Missouri State University, she made it her goal to move to Missouri after graduation. She desired to work in a small college where students are valued.
“I loved getting to know the students as per course instructor,” Opat said. “It was clear that our students are the very best.”
Opat has taught for four years total, beginning her teaching career at Missouri
State University in 2020. In fall 2022, she will teach Legal Aspects of Agriculture, Writing for Agricultural Publications, News Writing in Agriculture, and Public Relations in Agriculture. Opat serves as the advisor for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, is an Agricultural Living Learning Community (LLC) committee member, and a senator on the Missouri State Faculty Senate.
Opat’s favorite College of Agriculture event is the Back to School Bash event because it kicks off the beginning of the academic year by playing games, learning about student organizations, and getting to know the students.
“Many faculty members attend with their families and/or dogs,” Opat said. “It’s fun to introduce everyone!”
Opat can be found either in the classroom, outside taking pictures for publications, or completing home improvement projects with her family.
Interested in speaking with Dr. Opat? Send her an email to kopat@missouristate.edu or visit her in Karls Hall office 208.