Morgan Wonderly, Animal Science Lecturer, Appointed to the National Pork Board
By Lauren McEwen
Morgan Wonderly (Animal Science, ’18), a full-time lecturer in the Animal Science Department, was appointed to the National Pork Board in June by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. She is the first woman from California, and also the youngest, to be appointed to the three-year term.
The National Pork Board (NPB) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsored organization which strives to bridge the gap between consumers and producers in the pork industry. Wonderly’s appointment brings fresh ideas and perspectives to the board and strengthens Cal Poly’s ties to the industry.
“It is really exciting to be in this position, and it’s really unique that I can bring my perspective to the board,” Wonderly said.
Now in her fourth year of teaching at Cal Poly, Wonderly brings a robust skillset and years of Learn by Doing experience in the meat production industry. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cal Poly in 2018 and earned a master’s degree in meat science from the university in 2020 under the supervision of animal science Professor Ike Kang.
Wonderly’s connections with the National Pork Board date back to her time as an undergraduate student, when she acquired an internship in Iowa with the organization during her senior year. There, she made many industry connections, especially in attending the World Pork Expo and working in producer services.
In her new role with the National Pork Board, Wonderly engages with producers and consumers through the promotion of domestic and international pork productions on behalf of the board, research, and attending meetings and conferences, including one in Singapore and Malaysia this past October.
As a transfer student at Cal Poly, Wonderly discovered her passion for swine production in her first quarter at Cal Poly. She enrolled in the swine production course at the unit and had the opportunity to watch a sow farrow for the first time. Since then, “I’ve been hooked,” she said.
Lee Rinker, the swine unit manager at the time, encouraged her to pursue more involvement at the unit. She became a student volunteer and later lived and worked at the swine unit as a student employee. She said she also credits her success to her parents and family, “they are a huge support and helped me achieve so much,” she said.
For Wonderly, lecturing at Cal Poly has been a unique experience for both her and her students. “She is a super sweet, knowledgeable teacher who understands what it is like to be a college student,” said third-year animal science major Julie Costa, “and she is accommodating when it comes to student needs.”
The connections Wonderly has with the NPB are helping students find their way in the industry as well. “I let my passion flow into teaching, and I love seeing the change in students between day one and day 40 from the exposure and experience Learn by Doing provides.”
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