Brooke Rollins ’94 to lead U.S. Department of Agriculture

Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences former student Brooke Rollins ’94 has been confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. She is the first Texan and the first Texas A&M University former student to hold the position.

Going first is not new to Rollins. She was Texas A&M University’s first female student body president after being “called to something bigger than herself,” setting the tone for a career rooted in public service, according to an article shared by the Texas A&M Foundation’s Maroon Magazine.

During her conversation with Maroon Magazine, she described her inspiration for public service.

“While walking through the Memorial Student Center at the beginning of my freshman year, I read the names of Aggies who had given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I realized the important role this university played in the never-ending battle for freedom. A few months later, I sat on the concrete steps of the G. Rollie White Coliseum after experiencing my first campus Muster ceremony. At that moment, I knew that servant leadership and Texas A&M would forever be an integral part of who I am. Students before me had already laid the pathway of service, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life living up to the standard of being an Aggie,” Rollins said.  

The Glen Rose native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural development from the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.

“It is always great to see Texas A&M represented in government, but we’re especially excited to see Aggies in the President’s cabinet,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. “Aggies bring big ideas to fruition; we don’t limit ourselves on ideas, and I’m excited to see the next steps she takes for American agriculture.”

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry voted unanimously to advance her nomination after her hearing in February.

“Secretary Rollins is a shining example of the outstanding leaders we develop here at Texas A&M,” said General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M University. “She has a long list of accomplishments both in and out of the agricultural field and has carried the Aggie Core Values with her throughout her outstanding career. And now, she will share that commitment to excellence and selfless service with the American people. Aggies everywhere are beaming with pride for her today. Lead ’em well, Madam Secretary … and Gig ’em!”

Rollins grew up on her family’s farm, where she developed a strong foundation in agriculture through hands-on experience. She was actively involved in Texas 4-H and the National FFA Organization, where she served as a state FFA officer for Texas. Her background in agricultural education and leadership shaped her career, and she makes history as the first state FFA officer to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Rollins earned a law degree from the University of Texas. She served as Gov. Rick Perry’s policy director, then led the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a political policy think tank.  

“We like to say in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that we’re home to the ‘best and brightest,’ and Brooke is certainly that,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Her steadfast dedication to agriculture and Texas A&M is obvious, and we are so proud to see another former student pave the way for agriculture. We believe agriculture is the solution at Texas A&M.”

In 2018, Rollins was recruited to run the White House’s Office of American Innovation and, ultimately, the Domestic Policy Council. She then founded the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute. She and her husband, Mark Rollins ’94, most recently lived in Fort Worth with their four children.