Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management

Head: Roel Lopez
Associate Head: Gerard Kyle
Undergraduate Advisors: Faegen Lee and Mary Ennis

The mission of the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management (RWFM) is to prepare the next generation of natural resource stewards to generate sound, innovative solutions to address increasing demands of natural resources and associated challenges, such as population growth and land use changes. RWFM curriculum integrates foundational knowledge from several disciplines—biological, physical, and social sciences— along with leadership training, promotion of critical thinking skills and experiential learning opportunities rooted in evidence-based science and practical application.

This program offers students field experiences to best shape them to be natural resources leaders. The department has several partnerships in place to offer facilitated internships where students can experience career-specific jobs and build resume credentials for future employment. Hands-on field experience is offered in the majority of RWFM courses to reinforce classroom principles, and the degree curriculum includes a two-week summer course between sophomore and junior years.

Upon graduation, students are equipped with the necessary background and skills to qualify for career building certifications required in natural resource professions. The undergraduate program prepares students to continue their education in graduate and other professional programs or pursue a wide range of careers in leading conservation and science-based agencies at state and federal levels, as well as private land enterprises and non-governmental organizations. In response to the complexity and diversity of the field, the BS in RWFM program offers four unique specialization tracks to further tailor a student’s degree to best meet post-graduation needs.

Barboza, Peregrine, Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, University of New England, 1991

Evans, Steven, Lecturer
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
MS, Colorado State University, 2018

Hansley, Elizabeth, Instructional Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Hegde, Shraddha, Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Mississippi State University, 2022

Kyle, Gerard, Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2001

Lopez, Roel, Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2001

Lucero, Jacob, Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, University of Montana, 2017

Matarrita Cascante, David, Associate Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2008

Mohammed, Haitham, Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
DVM, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, 2003
PHD, Auburn University, 2015

Muhl, Rika, Lecturer
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2018

Schuett, Michael, Instructional Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1991

Shehane, Melissa, Instructional Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014

Stronza, Amanda, Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, University of Florida, 2000

Werdel, Ty, Assistant Professor
Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
PHD, Kansas State University, 2022