Congratulations to Spring 2025 Alumni Jackie "Jack" Guevara, who joins PSM: Assistant Professor – Turfgrass
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EmailRecent grad and new faculty reflects on process and goals for the future.
· What is your new job here at MSU?
| My new title is "Assistant Professor – Turfgrass". My appointment is 50% teaching, 35% research, and 15% service/outreach, which includes advising. I will be teaching undergraduate turfgrass management courses and conducting research to provide data for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. A new and exciting part of my role is advising and recruiting students for the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) Golf Turf and Sports and Commercial Turf Management Certificate Programs. |  |
· What is your biggest challenge in this new role?
The biggest challenge has been the transition from being a graduate student to becoming an assistant professor. I have discovered that there are many aspects of the job, like advising and administrative tasks, that are not fully covered in graduate school. These responsibilities extend well beyond teaching and research and require a different kind of learning curve. Thankfully, I am fortunate to have incredibly supportive colleagues in both PSM and IAT who have taken the time to help me navigate these new responsibilities.
· What part of your student program here at MSU prepared you for this job?
During graduate school, I was thoroughly prepared for an academic career. Balancing coursework, serving as a teaching assistant, and contributing to a major research project like the FIFA World Cup taught me not only essential skills and knowledge but also how to prioritize tasks effectively. This experience closely mirrors the responsibilities I now have as an assistant professor. I credit Dr. Trey Rogers as an outstanding mentor who made sure I was ready to take this next step in my career.
· Do you have a research program?
Yes, I have a 35% research appointment, where I am actively involved in research studies for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
