The Texas A&M Foundation has named Jennifer Ann Scasta ’11, Ph.D., as the senior director of development for Texas A&M AgriLife to lead development and donor activities, effective July 1.
In this role, Scasta will facilitate collaboration with existing and prospective donors as well as university faculty and administration to develop strategic plans for funding academic programs, scholarships and building needs.
Uniting donor generosity with Texas A&M AgriLife vision
Scasta brings more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, philanthropy and fundraising for the Texas A&M Foundation, the Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She currently serves as director of corporate relations with the Texas A&M Foundation.
She has raised over $4 million in gifts benefiting Texas A&M AgriLife. In addition, her leadership was instrumental in helping establish the Barbara J. Huffman and William M. “Bill” Huffman ’53 Chair in Poultry Science as well as the Cargill THRIVE Program that provides scholarships, academic development and career readiness for underrepresented students.
“Jennifer Ann has built many strong relationships that match donors’ philanthropy goals with the mission and vision of the Texas A&M Foundation and Texas A&M AgriLife,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Her devotion to advancing agriculture and life sciences through development and fundraising will strengthen the way we serve Texas.”
Scasta said she is honored to lead the Texas A&M AgriLife development team.
“I’ve seen first-hand how critical philanthropy is to the success of Texas A&M AgriLife,” Scasta said. “Our team is passionate about working with our donors and university partners to build a brighter future for Texas A&M.”
Life-long interest in supporting agriculture
Scasta earned a bachelor’s in agricultural leadership and development from the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2010, followed by a master’s in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University in 2012. She returned to her previous department at Texas A&M to earn a doctorate in agricultural leadership, education and communications in 2018.
A native of Marshall, Scasta grew up on a cow-calf operation in northeast Texas. Her first experience working in philanthropy was as a junior board member and then as foundation director for the National Junior Angus Association. She raised philanthropic gifts for the Angus Foundations’ Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus through private donations and public auction events. Since then, Scasta and her family have remained true to their agricultural roots by supporting many youth agriculture organizations across the state.
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