CAES welcomes new faculty, staff
Derrick J. Coble, Ph.D.
is an assistant professor of animal sciences and the department’s swine specialist. A Greensboro native who graduated from Dudley High School, Coble earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from N.C. A&T and his Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State University. Coble returned to A&T in January after three and a half years at Florida A&M University, where he was an assistant professor of animal science. He previously served on the faculty of Bennett College. An expert in animal genetics, Coble conducts research in several areas, including the effects of alternative finishing diets on production traits and how indoor, outdoor and commercial rearing environments affect gene expression in different pig breeds.
Jennifer Mendoza Beasley, Ph.D.
is an assistant professor of family and consumer sciences. She’s a Yale University graduate who later earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in human development and family studies from UNCG. Before joining the A&T faculty in January, Beasley was the preschool coordinator for exceptional children for the Randolph County School System. She also taught at A&T as an adjunct instructor from 2015 to 2020. Beasley’s research interests include the effects of culture and race on individuals’ understanding of diversity and parents’ beliefs and behaviors. She also explores the influences on parental beliefs on children’s development and school readiness in underrepresented and immigrant populations.
Mark Blevins, Ed.D.
joined A&T’s Cooperative Extension in February as the assistant administrator for agriculture and natural resources. Blevins came to the university after nearly a decade with N.C. Cooperative Extension, where he served as the county extension director in Brunswick County. A North Carolina native, Blevins holds three degrees from N.C. State University, including an Ed.D. in agricultural and Extension education he earned in 2019. In his new role, Blevins helps bring research and innovation from A&T to small and minority-owned farms, families, classrooms and county extension offices across the state and collects feedback to strengthen that work back on campus. His job, he said, is to “meet needs and make a difference.”
Jasmin Hill
started in April as the administrative support associate for county operations in Cooperative Extension. She’s responsible for scheduling meetings and training sessions, assisting employees with the Chrome River travel and expense software, serving as a liaison between the eastern and western regional extension directors and handling numerous other clerical and administrative duties. Hill worked for the six previous years as a nutrition program assistant with N.C. Cooperative Extension, first at A&T and later in her native Columbus County. Hill is a recent college graduate: She earned her bachelor’s degree in integrated professional studies with a focus in health and wellness from UNCG in May.
Biswanath Dari, Ph.D.
is an agriculture and natural resource specialist with Cooperative Extension. He came to A&T in August after a year and a half at Oregon State University, where he was an agronomist and assistant professor of crop and soil sciences at the university’s Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center. Dari earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in India, his master’s degree in agricultural meteorology and soil science from Punjab Agricultural University in India and his doctorate in soil and water sciences from the University of Florida. An agricultural and environmental scientist, Dari has done research in numerous areas, including sustainable agricultural production, agricultural resource management and soil health. He is currently serving as vice chair of the American Society of Agronomy’s Extension Education Community.
Dingha research highlighted in Southern SARE newsletter
Beatrice Dingha, Ph.D.
The research of Beatrice Dingha, Ph.D., was featured in an article in July’s digital newsletter of the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. In her research, Dingha found that intercropping cowpea plants with vegetable crops can increase yields up to 50%.
CAES alumna Johnson featured in podcast
CAES alumna and former Environmental Defense Fund intern Maya Johnson was featured in EDF’s podcast, Degrees, which covers all aspects of green careers. As a green jobseeker, Johnson gave a real-time coaching session in the episode Five key questions to turbocharge your job hunt.
 Jaiswal featured in Women in Design video
The Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing at N.C. A&T featured fashion merchandising faculty member Geetika Jaiswal, Ph.D. in their Women in Design and Advanced Manufacturing Academy. Jaiswal, of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, was chosen to be profiled for her work in research, education and outreach. Jaiswal was also the recipient of the seed grant from CEPDAM in 2021.
Department of Agriculture highlights CAES alumnae interns
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services made a short video to document the summer internship program with N.C. A&T, featuring alumnae Taylor Peele and Leah Freeman. Â
