VanOverbeke Returns to Roots as UNL Animal Science Department Head

“It’s kind of surreal being in this building back in this capacity,” said VanOverbeke. “When I was here for my undergraduate (degree) I was very involved in this department, active in Block & Bridle and served as an officer for three years and worked in the meat science group. I found the right group with what I enjoy.” 

VanOverbeke grew up near Ashland on a family farming operation that her brother and uncle still operate. She studied animal science and minored in agricultural leadership during her time at UNL. From there, she worked for the Nebraska Cattlemen in producer education,  where she said she was “on the road,” across Nebraska and other states helping to expand the Beef Quality Assurance program. 

“I was in Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming doing producer meetings for feedlot guys that hopefully had intentions of putting in that program,” said VanOverbeke. “At one of the BQA meetings I was actually recruited to go to graduate school by a faculty member from Colorado State University.” 

At CSU, VanOverbeke earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in meat science. “I did a lot of the producer related NCBA and Beef Checkoff funded research,” said VanOverbeke. “The National Beef Quality audits, injection-site lesions, research related to beef quality and palatability, shelf life, so not just one focus.” 

From Colorado, VanOverbeke moved onto a faculty position at the University of Minnesota, where she was involved in combatting the BSE outbreak, once again involved in producer education and BQA related research. 

VanOverbeke called Oklahoma State University home from 2005 to the spring of 2023. First as a professor of meat science, and then as Assistant Dean for Academic Programs in the Ferguson College of Agriculture. VanOverbeke began her new role at UNL on July 31, and has reflected on how this role ties together multiple parts of the industry and research that she enjoys. 

“I realized I love helping people in that position, but I didn’t get as much of a tie to animal science,” said VanOverbeke. “Now I get to work specifically with animal science students and faculty, and it allows me to get reconnected with both student and industry organizations that I used to be a part of.”