texas A&m university-kingsville faculty
texas A&m university-kingsville faculty
Dr. Diane Friend
Dr. Diane Friend is the primary instructor and head of the Agribusiness department at RELLIS campus for Texas A&M University–Kingsville. She earned her PhD from Texas A&M University-College Station, and continues her research in agricultural leadership and cooperative development. She is a member of the board of directors for the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, where her focus is education and internships. Friend teaches core classes for the Agribusiness degree program here at RELLIS, which include farm management, ag marketing, sales & consulting, ag leadership, price analysis, ag policy, international marketing, and other special topics.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Friend to further discuss opportunities in the Agribusiness program.
Dr. Blessing Ugwanyi
Dr. Blessing Ugwuanyi is an applied economist with expertise in analytics and econometrics. Originally from Nigeria, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. In 2013, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Wyoming, completing an MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Environmental and Natural Resources in 2015. She further advanced her knowledge with a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Texas Tech University, where she explored international trade and domestic farm policies. In 2024, she broadened her skillset by earning an MSc in Analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Her research interests include international trade, agricultural policy, food security, and big data. Dr. Ugwuanyi utilizes econometric methods and machine learning techniques in her work, contributing to various projects in these areas. Her diverse educational background provides a solid foundation for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
