Dr. Leigh Ann Skurupey is a State Specialist in the Center for 4-H Youth Development at North Dakota State University. Dr. Skurupey is the lead specialist for the center’s 4-H animal and equine science program, where she plans, develops, implements and evaluates the states 4-H animal science programs related to equine and livestock in order to communicate the 4-H philosophy, mission and values. This includes new and innovative educational resources offered, enhanced animal science related learning experiences, competitions and events conducted at both the state and national level. She also works to gather input from youth, adult volunteers, staff and other stakeholders who serve in an advisory capacity to grow the animal science youth programming efforts in North Dakota. Dr. Skurupey also works to develop, design, deliver and evaluate volunteer and staff training needed to blend animal science subject matter content with best practices in positive youth development in North Dakota.
A graduate from Colorado State University with a dual B.S. in Equine and Animal Science, and a minor in Business Administration, Dr. Leigh Ann Skurupey completed her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences at the University of Florida where she also spent six years coaching the University of Florida’s collegiate horse judging team. In that six years she coached a National, Reserve and Bronze World Champion intercollegiate horse judging teams.
Agriculture has been her focal point her entire life. With five years of experience working with youth, coaching, teaching and extension at the state and regional level in Florida, Dr. Skurupey brings several years of animal, equine, and youth experience to North Dakota. She grew up riding and working cattle on her aunt and grandfathers ranches in North Dakota, in addition to working on several ranches and training horses prior to attending graduate school at the University of Florida. She has hosted horse judging and horsemanship clinics across the country. Dr. Skurupey is a carded judge for the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA) and the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA).
