Q&A with Dean Brian Horgan
Dean Brian Horgan joined Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences in July, bringing with him a passion for innovation, collaboration and student success. He came from Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where he was a professor and associate dean for faculty affairs and development.
An expert in urban green space conservation, Horgan’s academic work centers on developing systems-based metrics for resource sustainability. He earned a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil science from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in crop science from North Carolina State University, and a doctorate degree in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois.
As dean, he is harnessing Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy to empower the next generation of agricultural and environmental leaders. “We are responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and we’re creating dynamic, interconnected experiences that prepare our students to succeed across the full spectrum of what we do,” Horgan said.
Why did you choose Cal Poly?
My experience at research-intensive institutions was both inspiring and invigorating — seeing firsthand the impact of discovery and innovation. What I had not yet experienced in my career was a singular focus on the student. I wanted to be part of a place where teaching and mentorship were at the heart of everything — to be a part of an undergraduate institution. And what better place than the best one in the country. Here, applied research is woven directly into the undergraduate experience. Our faculty are not only leaders in their fields but deeply engaged teachers who bring their research and industry connections into the classroom, the laboratories and the fields every day. At research driven institutions, the focus is on training the next generation of scientists, not practitioners. At Cal Poly, the Learn by Doing philosophy ensures our focus remains on the student —preparing them to be innovative practitioners ready to make a difference in the world.
What excites you most about living and working on the Central Coast of California?
My wife, Cindy, and I are very familiar with the Midwest but essentially almost everything west of the Mississippi is a new adventure for us, so we’re thrilled we get to explore it together. We're big mountain people and are looking forward to exploring the Sierra Nevada range. Hiking, camping, skiing, discovering new places — we enjoy it all. The people on the Central Coast are engaging and welcoming. We’ve had a few surprises too, like earthquake, tsunami and fire warnings. I'm used to blizzards, thunderstorms and an occasional tornado. The first tsunami alert was a little unexpected. And then the next day the Gifford Fire broke out just 20 miles away from us. It was a strong reminder that our climate is rapidly changing and of the challenges that come with that.
Midwestern agriculture is often referred to as the nation’s “breadbasket” because of its focus on large-scale production of corn, soybean and feed grains while California agriculture is called the “salad bowl” for its focus on high-value specialty crops like vegetables, fruits and nuts. How do your Midwestern roots benefit your new focus on California agriculture?
Nothing truly prepares you for the scale and diversity of California agriculture. In the Midwest, farming often centers on a singular annual crop. In California, we are focused on specialty crops that grow year-round, offering tremendous value, but they also present unique challenges, primarily resource conservation and labor. In just a few months, I have seen firsthand how innovation and technology such as robotics and drones are integrated into practice to meet some of these challenges. In California, you are growing short-season crops all year round, rotating what is grown to maximize value and optimize resources. In the Midwest, winter creates a different timeline. From a conservation perspective, growers here are focused on land and soil resources and making sure they aren’t consuming too much from the soil. Water constraints are another big focus — our growers here take water very seriously.
What role does the college play in meeting those challenges?
I’ve quickly learned that Cal Poly truly stays connected to industry through engagement, outreach and collaboration. Our faculty and students don’t just study the agriculture, food and environmental sciences spaces, they live them. They visit operations across the state to learn, and we invite those industry leaders to campus to serve on our advisory councils, speak in our classrooms and club meetings, and partner on applied research projects, so we are always learning what their needs are to stay relevant. We listen to what they want from our students when they graduate, so I can say without hesitation that our students being Ready Day One is real. The industry knows that we prepare our students to be ready for the workforce and that we are growing leaders in those spheres.
What role do you think universities play in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security and resource management?
We are on the front lines of change, preparing the next generation of leaders who are going to be the decision makers around climate resilience, resource conservation and global food security. Too often, there’s still a disconnect between the food on our tables and the land, labor and resources needed to produce it. I was amazed during a recent site visit to a leafy greens grower to learn that the time from harvest to consumption is only 17 days — produce grown right here in California and shipped all over the world. It's a reminder of how vital this work we are doing together is: ensuring access to fresh, nutritious food while producing it as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
That’s where our role as a university becomes essential. We can’t operate in isolation; we must collaborate with industry and research partners to help solve these complex challenges. And through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach, we can bring that directly into our laboratories, fields and classrooms, giving students real-world experience in developing and applying solutions that matter. Food production is a complex, interconnected system. I have quickly seen that at Cal Poly, we are at the forefront in regenerative agriculture and resource management that in a global context is centered on food security and climate change. It’s all connected, and we’re helping students see and shape that connection every day.
How do you measure the success of your leadership?
I view my role as empowering others. We are formulating a vision of where we are going together, from the ground up. Together we’re building a shared vision — one that connects every department, center and unit in pursuit of a common goal: student success. We can measure that in many ways — when our graduates enter the workforce prepared to lead, when our students experience learning that’s relevant and transformative, and when our programs grow strategically to meet the evolving needs of California. Listening is central to that process — both to our students and how they want to learn and to the industries we serve. Effective leadership requires being nimble yet intentional, transparent yet decisive. For me, it’s about being present, staying curious, and continually learning so that together, we keep driving forward.
If you could share one lesson with students about leadership and resilience, what would it be?
One of the best parts of this role is getting to know our students and watching them grow. They’re not only highly intelligent and capable, but they’re also deeply engaged and passionate about making a difference. As a parent of three college-aged daughters, I remember the feeling of watching them begin their own journeys. I recognize the incredible trust that these students’ families and supporters place on us to guide that journey, and I take that responsibility seriously. My advice to our students is simple: stay curious, stay engaged and ask questions. But just as importantly, learn the value of listening intently to the people and experiences around you. Growth happens when you share space generously and approach every moment as a chance to learn something new.
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