Presently Dr. Fernandez serves as Professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, focusing on Student Outreach & Development. Prior to this (2011-20), he served as the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs for the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Prior to joining Purdue Agriculture in 2011, he served in similar leadership and administrative roles at Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, PA (2005-11), and the College of Agriculture at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (2001-05). All three institutions are regarded as globally recognized agricultural colleges, and he considers it a privilege to have been associated with these institutions, their students, faculty and staff, and the many alumni and friends that are connected with these outstanding Land Grant institutions. Dr. Fernandez's degrees come from NC State Univ., (PhD in Anim Sci), Tennessee (MS in Anim Sci), and Illinois State Univ. (BS in Agriculture).

Dr. Fernandez believes in and subscribes to the critical role that universities play in the development, support, and advancement of students, families, communities, and businesses. Yes, the Land Grant Spirit is very much as vibrant and relevant today in the 21st Century as it was back in the 19th Century, and he believes it is a lesson that serves us all well to reflect on and consider in this day and age! Education, matched with personal effort and perseverance, can lead to personal, professional and economic growth and success, and this is true whether we are talking about individuals, families, communities, or countries. He considers his own life and professional journey to be a reflection of the value and power of education combined with honest hard work, to be a reflection of the value of public higher education, yesterday, today and always.