Dr. Crystal Ahrens Rouillier Assistant Professor of Animal and Meat Science

For Dr. Crystal Ahrens Rouillier, agriculture isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling deeply rooted in family, community, and a passion for lifelong learning. Raised in Lamar, AR, Crystal found her way back home after years spent exploring every corner of the animal science industry, from feedlots in Kansas to hog farms in Canada.

Although she originally envisioned a career in meat science research, a teaching assistantship during graduate school changed her course.

“I realized I had a knack for taking high-level science and breaking it down into something students could understand,” Crystal said. “That’s when I fell in love with education.”

Today, she serves as Assistant Professor of Animal and Meat Science at Arkansas Tech University (ATU), where she blends classroom instruction with real-world experience. Her journey includes working with community colleges, coaching livestock judging teams, and traveling the country for a national meat science association—all of which gave her a broader view of agriculture’s evolving landscape.

At ATU, Crystal has revitalized the university’s meat science curriculum, introducing lab-based learning to give students hands-on experience with the entire supply chain. She challenges students to think critically, ask better questions, and find their own place in an increasingly diverse and complex ag economy.

“There’s so much value in teaching students to make decisions and stand behind them,” she said. “That’s a skill that will serve them far beyond the classroom.”

Whether she’s encouraging students to explore agri-tourism opportunities, or sharing her own story about balancing conventional and organic practices, Crystal brings a fresh, honest perspective to the classroom. She believes diversification, storytelling, and education are key to a more resilient agricultural future.

“Being able to teach in the same region where I grew up—on land that’s been in my family for generations—is a full-circle moment,” she said. “It’s about honoring my parents’ legacy and helping shape the future of Arkansas agriculture one student at a time.”

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