Alumni Spotlight
Name: Melissa Chesnut
Current Title: Director of Global Corporate Communications
Organization: Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Majors: B.S. Agricultural Communications and Journalism '08, minor in Equine Science and minor in Animal Sciences and Industry
K-State College of Ag is proud to recognize alumni from all departments who continue to pursue their passion in their respective fields. It is through experience that we continue to grow as individuals and stewards of the industry. Through those experiences, we hope to be a continued resource for the next generation of K-State students to lean on for advice and continue to build our network!
What was your major, and how did you choose it?
My major was agricultural communications and journalism (currently known as agricultural and natural resources communications) with a minor in animal sciences and industry and a certificate in equine science. Like many, I was involved in 4-H and FFA throughout my childhood and developed a love for promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry. That led me to ag journalism. I originally wanted to be a U.S. diplomat or lobbyist, but I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like when I entered college. While I never changed my major, what I wanted to do with my life shifted quite a bit. Thankfully, it was always centered around communications in agriculture, and I’ve landed in a great spot. I love that my degree has proven to be incredibly versatile.
How did your career path lead you to where you are now?
I graduated right as the recession hit in early 2008, and it was tough to find a job, even in the heartland. I had great internships, studied hard and was involved, but it was just the time that I was living in. I moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and started at our area community food bank, which was the perfect place to build a foundation in every aspect of communications. From there, I moved into public relations for the ag industry, worked for an agency, returned to graduate school for public affairs, and eventually landed my first corporate communications role at Boehringer Ingelheim in animal health. I had a mix of nonprofit and corporate work before I joined Hill’s to build out our first-ever global corporate communications function. It’s been a whirlwind 18 months, but an amazing opportunity.
How did your time at K-State prepare you for your career?
My education at K-State is second to none, especially in the College of Agriculture. Our professors made sure we didn’t just learn theory—we were truly prepared for real-life scenarios. Thanks to that foundation, I’ve always felt ready for every role I’ve had. Beyond coursework, K-State encouraged us to get involved in leadership and hands-on experiences, whether studying abroad, working on The Agriculturist magazine or being part of clubs like Ag Communicators of Tomorrow and Ag Ambassadors. Those experiences helped shape my career just as much as my classes did.
What advice would you give to current students?
My number one tip for college students is to get involved as much as possible because you never know who you will meet. Almost twenty years later, the network I built through my college activities still serves me in many ways, whether it’s reaching out for a partnership, writing an article, or even finding my next job. That network has been absolutely crucial to my success.
At K-State, I was involved in Ag Communicators of Tomorrow, serving on both the National Board and our local chapter. I studied abroad in Scotland, was part of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and served as an Ag Ambassador all four years. I held several communications internships with the Hereford World, Certified Angus Beef and Agriculture Future of America. I also had the opportunity to be involved with Agriculture Future of America, eventually serving on the National Student Advisory Team. Through scholarships like the Kansas Livestock Association and American Royal ‘Royal Six’ Scholars Program, I expanded my network even further. On campus, I was part of the Order of Omega, the honor society for fraternity and sorority members, along with several other K-State organizations.