Faculty Spotlight: Marcos Fernandez

Marcos Fernandez, PhD, is a professor in the Purdue Animal Sciences Department. He has been with the department for over 4 years. 

Fernandez, who grew up in a suburb of Chicago, attended Proviso East High School, which is the same high school as Purdue President Emeritus Martin Jischke and an astronaut alumnus, Eugene Cernan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee. He also completed his doctoral degree at North Carolina State University. All of his degrees are in animal sciences.

Initially, Fernandez was interested in animal sciences research to “help feed the world.” However, over time his mindset changed.

“Eventually, and at the prodding of people who knew me well, I found and yielded to my calling to become a university educator, a teacher, a developer of future leaders etc. The rest, as the saying goes, is history,” Fernandez explained.

Fernandez has been at Purdue for 13 years. He arrived at Purdue to serve as the Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture. He moved to the animal sciences department in February 2020 after he stepped down from administration.

As a professor of animal sciences, Fernandez teaches multiple undergraduate courses: ANSC 12100 Ethics of Animal Use, ANSC 24000 Principles of Animal Production and ANSC 38100 Leadership for a Diverse Workplace. He has also co-developed and led the Pets and Society Learning Community for the past 3 years. In the past, he has taught AGR 10100 Introduction to the College of Agriculture and Purdue University and AGR 29000 Special Topics in Agriculture. He has also been involved with the Purdue Goat Club, Ag Student Council, Heritage Breeds Club of Purdue, Purdue Agriculture’s Issues-360 Initiative and study abroad trips. His study abroad trips include Costa Rica, Cuba, Ireland and New Zealand.

Outside his responsibilities as a professor of animal sciences, Fernandez is a member and former president of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). He joined in 1996 when he was still working for Louisiana State University, and he recently was a Blue Ribbon Speaker at the NACTA 2024 Conference. His presentation was titled, “I’m in Your Classroom: Reflections from a 1st Gen Student and Colleague on the Importance of Mentorship.” 

Fernandez provided more insight on his presentation at the annual conference.

“It focused on the importance and impact of reaching first generation students in our classrooms, as well as reaching and supporting fellow colleagues that may identify as first gen. Reviews were presented on recent trends and perceived needs, challenges and opportunities, successes and failures etc. with emphasis on agricultural related post-secondary institutions,” Fernandez explained. “Central to the message was the critical role mentoring plays in others' success and fulfillment. Infused throughout the presentation was a personally introspective or first-hand account of my own personal, educational and professional journey as a first gen student, academic and administrator and the critically important role that mentors played throughout each phase of my journey. It proved to be quite an emotional experience for me, frankly, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Fernandez has received multiple institutional, regional, national and international awards and honors throughout his career; however, his greatest achievement as a Purdue faculty member is being able to help lead and support an agriculture program that is ranked in the top five in the world, especially because it is centered around student success.

As a professor, Fernandez makes an effort to inspire and engage his students.

“I try to remind students that they are in a highly recognized and widely-respected public university and agricultural college and that their experiences as students and future alumni and leaders should not be taken for granted,” Fernandez said. “I often remind them ‘carpe diem’ to seize this moment, to seize this opportunity of a lifetime.”

In an effort to inspire his students, Fernandez mentioned that his students also inspire him.

“Students inspire me with their authenticity, humility and desire to impact the world around them,” Fernandez said. “These types of students give me hope for a better and brighter tomorrow!”