Student Spotlight: Hannah Williamson

Senior Hannah Williamson has been shaped in a special way by our campus farm, thanks to time spent with her father and animal science faculty (Dr. Scott WIlliamson) as she grew up.

She has expanded this focus as a Fresno State student in so many ways ranging from a swine unit and meat science lab employee, president of the meat science club, and member of the livestock judging team, swine show team and Young Cattlemen's Association club. 

These opportunities have also given her many opportunities to teach others about agriculture (including a recent ValleyPBS kids swine unit tour on its instagram page). 

Learn how all these experiences are also pointing her career path towards ag education and/or the swine profession in this recent interview.

 

Q: Talk about why you were drawn towards Fresno State and its animal science and livestock business management degree.

Williamson: “I have been raised around the swine unit, and I have always had a passion for hogs and the ag industry as a whole. A lot of these professors were there when I was a growing up so they made a big impact on my childhood and being raised around Fresno State."

 

Q: Have any other family members attended Fresno State?

Williamson: “My sister, Kate, graduated Fresno State in liberal studies to become an elementary school teacher, and my other sister, Kelli, received her bachelor’s degree in food and nutritional science and enology (and was a Jordan College Undergraduate Medalist). My brother, Beau, came here for two years then transferred to Purdue University as an ag business major.”

 

Q: What are some of your most memorable experiences on campus?

Williamson: “It is hard to choose because I have had so many. One of them is being able to help teach the swine lab class - that’s where I learned that I want to become an ag teacher or professor. I also have strong memories cooking for the Red Wave Livestock Show, Back to School Ag BBQ, and CAN C BBQ as part of the meat lab.”

 

Q: What are some of your favorite Fresno State classes? 

Williamson: “I definitely enjoyed the beginning and advanced swine production classes with Dr. Williamson because I love hogs. I also loved the introduction to livestock judging class with Mr. Cordeiro and Mr. Mendes because it has prepared me to be on our campus livestock judging team.”

Williamson: “I also loved taking the feeds and feeding class from Mrs. Henson. She’s a great teacher and incorporated fun labs and tours that made the class easier to understand. Dr. (John) Henson is also a big influence on me because of his classes and the time that he has spent in the meat lab teaching us there as well. He is very well-rounded and well-known in the meat industry. His knowledge in meat science is never ending, and he’s always sharing it with us.” 

Williamson: “I also have learned so much from Dr. Williamson, not only because he is my dad, but also because he always is teaching - whether in the classroom, at the swine unit, judging a show, or over the phone. He also pushes his students to make the best better.”

 

Q: Talk about your work experience on the campus farm, and how it has helped you on your career path.

Williamson: “I’ve been around the swine unit for 20 years, and working officially the past four years. I started working at the meat lab in June 2018, and I’ve been working there for three years. I was a summer manager at the swine unit in 2019, and a junior manager or co-manager since Spring 2020. Both of these careers have taught me a lot and have given me opportunities to help decide between a career path in the hog industry or becoming an ag teacher or professor specifically in swine production.”

Williamson: “Working at the swine unit and meat lab has taught me time efficiency, responsibility, management skills, how to work better with others, and specific industry skills – for example, how to break down beef pork and lamb carcasses and sell to customers, food safety, and more.”

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before Fresno State?

Williamson: “I practically grew up at the Fresno State Swine Unit learning from my father. My high school didn’t offer an ag program so I would go to the swine unit on weekends and during the summer with him. He also took me to class with him when I had the day off, and Fresno State was still in session. I also raised rabbits with him and showed in the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) shows. In 6th and 7th grade I showed rabbits, round robin and pigs at the Fresno Fair - 6th grade as 4-H and 7th grade independently.”

 

Q: What campus clubs and organizations have you been a part of?

Williamson: “Besides being the current president of the Meat Science Club, I also served as its fundraising officer for two years, which allowed me to go to the Reciprocal Meat Conference and California Association of Meat Processors Conference. I’m also currently part of the Young Cattlemen's Association campus chapter and on the livestock judging team which has competed in Arizona, Denver and San Antonio (this year). I have also assisted at the Red Wave Livestock Show food booth and help put on our campus meat science banquet in 2019, and traveled as part of the Swine Show Team to the Porterville Collegiate Show.”

 

Q: What’s your potential career path?

Williamson: “After I get my bachelor’s degree, I would like to get my master’s degree in swine reproduction or other swine-related topic, or possibly become an ag teacher, and even possibly get a doctoral degree to become a professor.”