For more than a decade, Dr. Christine Sudbrock, an associate professor in the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership at Missouri State University, has made service a core part of her work to create opportunities for students, colleagues and the community. 

This year’s Missouri State University Foundation Awards for Excellence recognized her valuable contributions to service.

“It’s such an honor to be selected for this award and have other people recognize my projects in this way,” she said.

Service shaped by mentorship 

Sudbrock’s approach to service is influenced by many Missouri State faculty who have mentored her during her time at the university.   

“I learned that small acts of service can have great impact,” she said. “Taking time to meet with students on campus tours can shape their entire career path and the connections you make with industry can create opportunities.”   

Finding ways to make a difference 

For Sudbrock, service is a meaningful way to change lives. By investing time, energy and expertise, she has turned simple acts of volunteering into programs and partnerships that create lasting opportunities for people across Missouri.  

Her work with the Missouri Food Entrepreneurs Network, a collaboration among Missouri’s institutions of higher education to support and grow value-added food production, has resulted in several important outcomes.   

These include:

• A graduate student research project 
• A grant that gives value-added producers in southwest Missouri access to educational workshops in digital marketing and communication 
• Additional instructional resources at Missouri State 
• A statewide leadership development program for college students 

At Missouri State, Sudbrock serves on the BrightSpace Advisory Board, the First Year Council and other committees that support faculty engagement, academic guidance and university advancement. As a member of the Darr College of Agriculture Alumni Committee, she supports student success while bridging alumni and university engagement. Through these roles, she demonstrates a sustained commitment to service, leadership and enhancing the student experience. 

Service in ag education 

In agriculture, students and faculty engage in meaningful service beyond academics that addresses real world challenges like food insecurity and community well-being.  

“When students study agriculture, they have a deep commitment to the land and the people. Our ability to produce abundant, safe and affordable food so no one goes hungry is all tied to global service,” Sudbrock said.  

Building a lasting impact 

Through her service and leadership, Sudbrock works to build foundations that support long term success and opportunities.

“I hope more people will have greater access to opportunities and will continue the cycle of giving back to others,” she said. 

 She encourages students and other faculty members to keep in mind that service comes in many different forms.

“We often think service has to be this grand gesture that solves world hunger or it’s not worth doing, but really it’s the little actions we take over time that matter most,” she said. 

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