Missouri State University agriculture education senior Colin Boyd is living proof that with hard work and dedication, success is sure to follow.

Boyd, who is originally from Shelbyville, Tennessee, moved to Waynesville, Missouri, during his sophomore year of high school. He started studying at Missouri State in fall 2021.

He chose to become a Bear for many reasons, including affordability, distance from his home and most importantly, the availability and reputation of the degree program he wanted to pursue.

Boyd’s inspiration to major in agriculture education came from an experience in high school. During his senior year, his ag teacher left the school, leaving a long-term substitute to fill in. He recalls spending April and May in the ag classroom helping with ideas for lesson plans.

“By being in the community and participating in Future Farmers of America (FFA), I knew teaching was something I could see myself doing,” Boyd said.

A positive experience in Darr

As he gets closer to graduation day in May, Boyd expresses his appreciation for the Darr College of Agriculture and how it has prepared him to enter the workforce.

“I’d say the best part about the College of Ag is the faculty and staff puts into perspective what life after college will look like. They’re very honest about what careers outside of here will be like,” Boyd said.

For him, the connections and networking he has been exposed to over the past few years have been invaluable. Whether it was through scholarship banquets or other hands-on opportunities the college provides, Boyd believes he has benefitted by gaining insights into many areas in the agriculture industry.

Finding his place by getting involved

By making good first impressions and putting himself out there, Boyd started his freshman year with an opportunity to promote the college at a high school event through FFA. This opened doors for him to eventually become an ambassador for the college.

As an ambassador, Boyd traveled to college fairs, career fairs and high school classrooms to promote the college. His favorite part was being able to build connections while advocating for agriculture.

“This experience put me in a space where I couldn’t be static. It taught me I have to actively be moving toward something to really achieve it,” he said.

“You can’t be afraid to take leaps into something that doesn’t seem like it would benefit you right then and there. You must think about the long-run potential with each opportunity.”

During his time at Missouri State, Boyd also served as president of Alpha Gamma Rho (an agriculture fraternity), vice president of Block and Bridle, treasurer of MSU Cattlemen’s Association, treasurer for the Missouri State Collegiate FFA and a teach ag ambassador for the state of Missouri representing Missouri State.

Boyd notes he came to college with a clear intention for what he wanted to get out of it.

“I wanted to gain different perspectives,” he said. “Each organization you get involved with offers varying perspective of either the agricultural industry or life in general.”

For his contributions, Boyd won the Anson Elliot Citizen Award and the Glenn E. Karl’s Senior Excellence Award this year.

“These awards mean a lot to me because they show my efforts were noticed and appreciated, even when I thought they weren’t,” he said.

Looking to the future

Boyd has his sights set on becoming a college professor.

“I think that’s my end game right now. While I do want to travel and experience things outside of teaching first, my dream would be to end up back at Missouri State or teach at another Missouri university,” he said.

While he works toward that goal, he is preparing for a possible position in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity as an educational leadership consultant to chapters in a specific region.

“I don’t know the region yet, but I’d be managing around 15 to 20 chapters nationwide. I’d also be representing our organization at a national level through board meetings and leadership conferences,” Boyd said.

Sharing some advice

The biggest piece of advice Boyd has for future students is to find a good balance juggling classes, clubs and organizations and your personal life.

In his freshman year, he overloaded himself with course work and extracurricular activities. This left him feeling he could have been a lot more productive if he had not spread himself so thin.

“I think there’s a good balance between having fun and work. You should play a little bit. You can’t just put in work 24/7,” Boyd said. “I believe burnout is a real thing, so it’s important to prioritize that balance early on.”