Driven by values: Administrator guides OSU Agriculture's research path
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu
A career can be shaped not only by the work you do, but also by the people you met and the lasting impact you leave.
Now serving as associate vice president of agricultural research for OSU Agriculture, Scott Senseman leads using his core values of strategy, integrity and empathy.
Senseman had these values instilled in him early on, he said, and strengthened them with the unwavering support of his wife, Laura Senseman.
Growing up on a farm in Ohio, Scott Senseman said he learned the value of hard work from his father, Allen Senseman, a lifelong farmer. His mother, Sandy Senseman, was known for her incredible cooking and her ability to create a warm, supportive environment where her son could explore his interests, he added.
Those early years taught him perseverance and the importance of doing things the right way, he said.
“My dad was one of the best examples of anyone I knew,” Scott Senseman said. “He always kept his word, whether it was paying people on time or working with them respectfully. I couldn’t have had a better example of how to do things the right way.”
As Scott Senseman moved through his career, he changed from reactive roles to positions where he could focus more on strategy and long-term goals, he said.
At first, this shift was challenging, especially as he adjusted to the slower pace of a more strategic role, he added.
“My current role is more about strategy moving forward,” Scott Senseman said. “It’s not about getting nervous or upset in the moment. It’s about creating a clear path for the future. That helps me stay grounded.”
Scott Senseman earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Wilmington College of Ohio in 1986. He then went to the University of Arkansas, where he earned a master’s degree in agronomy weed science in 1990, followed by a doctorate in agronomy pesticide residue in 1994.
Throughout his career, Scott Senseman has had one constant: his wife. The couple married Oct. 15, 1994, just two days before he started his professional career at Texas A&M University in College Station.
“She’s been a rock, supporting me through all of it,” Scott Senseman said. “We’ve moved several times, and I’ve dragged her all around the country with me, but she’s always been incredibly supportive.”
After 19 years at TAMU, Scott Senseman moved to the University of Tennessee. At UT, he served as the department head of plant sciences for seven years and took on an additional deputy assistant dean role of the Herbert College of Agriculture for one year. He then served as interim dean of extension for eight months before returning to the department head role just prior to coming to OSU.
Laura Senseman is a passionate animal lover, he said, and the couple has welcomed many pets into their lives. Right now, they have four cats, a testament to his wife’s big heart for animals, he added.
“She’s a St. Francis at heart,” he said, referring to her dedication to rescuing and fostering animals.
The couple’s connection goes beyond their love for animals. They also enjoy spending quality time together, whether cooking, traveling, or just being there for each other, Laura Senseman said.
“Scott is someone who wants to do the best job he can, no matter what the situation is,” Laura Senseman said. “It’s one of the reasons he’s so committed to his work, but it’s also made work-life balance a challenge at times.”
When they recognize they are out of balance, they stop and talk about it, Laura Senseman said. Cooking meals together is a good way for them to check in and make sure they are staying connected, Laura Senseman added.
Scott Senseman’s drive for growth is not limited to his career.
Whether playing golf, playing music, or practicing mind-mapping, Scott Senseman is always looking for ways to improve, he said.
“I always feel like I can learn something new and get a little better at it,” he said. “It’s the same in my professional life, always striving to improve.”
Mind-mapping, a method he adopted in the late 1990s, has significantly influenced Scott Senseman’s approach to problem-solving, he said. The process has become an essential tool for organizing his ideas and managing complex projects, he added.
“It’s a creative process,” Scott Senseman said. “When I can visually map out a plan, the anxiety goes away, and I feel ready to take on anything.”
Although Scott Senseman is no longer directly involved in research, he is still motivated by the passion of the scientists he works with, he said.
“What keeps me going is seeing our scientists excited about what they do,” Scott Senseman said. “When I see them out in the field, doing what they’re meant to do, that’s what inspires me to keep helping them.”
Scott Senseman’s legacy as a mentor and educator is felt deeply by his former TAMU graduate students, including Cecilia Wagner. She took his graduate classes and worked closely with him as his mentee until she earned her master’s in 2002, she said.
Wagner remembers Scott Senseman’s approach to teaching as both engaging and supportive, she said. Now living in Stillwater, Wagner still carries with her the lessons and support she received from Scott Senseman, she added.
“He taught me more than just technical skills,” Wagner said. “His focus on integrity and empathy shaped me as a young adult moving on to work and life. He always took the time to listen and help.”
Wagner also remembers how Scott Senseman’s teaching style went beyond textbooks, she said.
“Dr. Senseman made learning enjoyable and relevant, always bringing in real-world examples,” Wagner said. “As a mentor, he gave me the freedom to explore my ideas, but he always pushed me to think critically and improve.”
One of the biggest takeaways Wagner learned from Scott Senseman was a commitment to lifelong learning, she said.
“He was always encouraging us to ask questions and keep learning,” Wagner said. “He always said no matter where life takes you, education is never wasted.”
Scott Senseman’s influence goes far beyond the classroom, Wagner said, and his work has inspired those who worked alongside him and those who were lucky enough to learn from him.
“Even though it’s been over 25 years since I sat in his classroom, I recently saw him speak at Research on Tap in February and was immediately reminded of how he approaches science,” Wagner said. “It was so refreshing to hear someone speak honestly, present the facts, avoid politics, and explain things in a way everyone could understand. We need more of that.”
Scott Senseman’s work, especially in agricultural research, has had a lasting impact on his students’ views on the world, climate change, sustainability and natural resource protection, Laura Senseman said.
“When all this is over, I won’t care about the awards or publications,” Scott Senseman said. “It’s the people I’ve interacted with, especially my wife, Laura, that will matter most.”
As Scott Senseman looks ahead, he remains committed to supporting the next generation of agricultural researchers, he said.
“We need people to help us with the things we need to learn about,” Scott Senseman said. “Agriculture is at the heart of everything. We need more people who are excited to make a difference.”
Story by Laney Warrington | Cowboy Journal