STB Students and Alumni
See what our students have to say about the online Seed Technology and Business Master of Science degree and certificate programs:
Johnny Parker
STB Student
Florida, United States
Embracing Lifelong Learning
Johnny Parker’s career journey has been profoundly shaped by his participation in the Seed Technology and Business (STB) program. Through STB, he found a holistic approach to learning and a pathway to ignite innovation in the ever-evolving seed industry.
Zhang Gang
STB Student
Gansu, China
Seeds: Crucial to the Global Food System
Although agriculture wasn’t his first choice as a career, after the 2008 financial crisis STB student Zhang Gang felt he didn’t have many other career options. Now, after 13 years working for Clover Seed in China, he can’t imagine working in any other industry.
Mariah Mitchell
STB Student
Ames, IA
A Peer Learning Experience
For Iowa State Cyclone volleyball player, Mariah Mitchell, interacting among peers and working professionals within the online Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) has been…
Kori Sakahashi
STB Alumnus
Ankeny, IA
Production Lead – Syngenta
Accomplishing Goals
Upon completing his Seed Technology & Business master’s degree at Iowa State University, Kori explains that gaining the knowledge and a…
Craig Hamm
STB Alumnus
Beaumont, Texas
District Sales Manager – RiceTec Inc.
Developing Sales Strategies
Craig Hamm, is the District Sales Manager for RiceTec Inc, which is based out of Alvin, Texas. His sales district encompasses the Southeast Texas,…
Josh Prow
STB Alumnus
Phillips, Nebraska
Plant Operations Manager – Syngenta
Improving Seed Production Efficiency
Josh has worked for Syngenta for the past six years and is currently the Plant Operations Manager in Phillips, Nebraska. For his final creative component,…
Enock Maereka
STB Alumnus
Zimbabwe, Africa
Independent Consultant in Agriculture
Addressing Global Challenges
Our rapidly changing world demands that online learning programs work to increase globalization in the classroom. This is especially true for online agriculture…
Tyler Tunning
STB Graduate Student
Ames, Iowa
Iowa State University Seed Testing Laboratory
Advance Your Career
An Iowa State University Seed Science Center staff member and graduate student has achieved what no other current employee has: accreditation as a Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT). Tyler Tunning…
Jaime Saavedra
STB Alumnus
Rancagua, Chile
Bayer – Crop Science
A Global Perspective
Jaime Saavedra is a perfect example of why an online graduate program is critical to training the next generation of seed leaders. Located in Chile, Jaime was able to study at a distance…
Starla Chauvin
STB Alumna
Germany
An International Adventure
Starla Chauvin has always been drawn to the beauty and science of agriculture. As a student in the Graduate program in Seed Technology and Business, Starla…
Shannon Straka
STB Graduate Student
Livingston, WI
Biddick, Inc.
From Teacher to Seed Leader
From growing up detasseling, then teaching middle/high school science, to returning to the world of agriculture as Database Administer and Quality Manager at Biddick, Inc,…
Kristi Bruner
STB Alumna
Boscobel, WI
Biddick, Inc.
A Program That Fits A Busy Schedule
Our online graduate students enroll in the program for all kinds of reasons. Here is what we found out from Seed Science and Technology graduate certificate alumni, Kristi Bruner, about why…
Andrew Penney
STB Alumnus
Ames, Iowa
Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology
PhD Program, Iowa State University
Continuing the Adventure
Andrew Penney grew up listening to his Dad talk about the seed business. Though he did not originally see himself working in the industry, Andrew credits his father for sparking his interest in the field of agriculture.
Cristobal Gonzalez
STB Alumnus
Jewell, Iowa
Field Production Manager – Monsanto
A Dream Come True
Tell us your story into the world of agriculture. Why did you choose this career path?
I grew up in my country’s capital, Santiago (Chile). The population is about 6.5 M people. My desire to leave the busy city in search of a healthier style of living led me to the world of agriculture. I am totally satisfied doing…
Dustin Brucker
STB Alumnus
Ankeny, Iowa
Breeding Research Associate, Monsanto Company
What is your current position, title, company?
Breeding Research Associate, Monsanto Company
Do you think this program helped you move forward professionally?
I think the program gave me a broad range of tools to further expand my knowledge base in the seed industry…
Uyen Cao Chu
STB Alumna
Urbandale, Iowa
DuPont Pioneer- Research Associate
Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program.
I just started the program, and so far, I am enjoying what I’ve been learning. Online learning is a challenge for me but it is very interesting and relevant to my job…
Emily Tobin
STB Alumna
Pasco, Washington
Agronomist, Emerging Leader Program- DuPont Pioneer
Tell us your story into the world of agriculture. Why did you choose this career path?
I grew up in a small farming town in Eastern Washington, the desert side of the Evergreen State. I live in the Columbia Basin, a fully irrigated area at the fork of 3 major rivers. We grow a variety of crops but the big ones include: potatoes, onions, hay…
Elly Williams
STB Alumna
Waimea, Hawaii
Research Associate at DuPont Pioneer
Tell us your story into the world of agriculture. Why did you choose this career path?
I grew up on the southwest side of the island of Kauai, Hawaii. There were sugarcane fields as far as the eye could see. My grandfather immigrated to Hawaii as a young teenager to work for McBryde Sugar Plantation, so agriculture is in my blood. As an adult…
Whitney Wolfe
STB Alumna
Bloomington, IL
Supply Chain Coordinator at DuPont Pioneer
What is your current position, title, company?
I am Supply Chain Coordinator for DuPont Pioneer’s Heartland Business Unit. In my role, I assist in communicating and implementing supply chain initiatives to ensure that our growers have the best products for their acre…
Kent Klingbeil
STB Alumnus
Huxley, IA
Precision Ag Director at Farmer’s Cooperative Company
Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program.
The online program has allowed me to continue working and gives me the flexibility to work on the classes when time allows, or work ahead if I need too…
Karen Nickols
STB Alumna
Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program.
I have found that online studying in the STB program has fit well in my professional and personal life. The information I’ve learned so far has been very relevant to my job and the pace is fast enough to keep me challenged, but slow enough that I’m not…
JoJo Martinac
STB Alumna
What is your current position, title, company?
Team Leader in Corn Transformation at DuPont Pioneer
Do you think this program helped you move forward professionally? Yes, I believed the program helped me move forward professionally more quickly than…
Dustin Mattson
STB Alumnus
Q. Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program.
The STB program has proven to be a great learning experience. Since the course is tailored to the seed industry and presented online, it creates an opportunity to bring many individuals together from all parts of the globe and gives everyone the chance to share…
Joshua Parsons
STB Alumnus
Q. Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program. This has been a very good experience for me so far. The flexibility of taking the classes online allows me to listen to lecture whenever it is convenient for me. I can eat lunch and do lecture at work or when I get home from work that evening while I’m relaxing…
Erin Anderson
STB Alumnus
Q. Tell us about your experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program. So far, my experience as an online learner within the Seed Technology and Business program has been a great one. The classes have been relevant to the work I do every day, and I am learning a great deal about the seed industry from teachers who have seed industry experience…