Member Spotlight: Sandya Kesoju, Director at Columbia Basin College and 2023–2025 President for Western Society of Crop Science

What project are you currently working on that excites you the most?

I currently serve as the Director for Agriculture Education, Research & Development at Columbia Basin College, a position I have held since 2017. A significant part of my role is managing and overseeing the agriculture department's administrative activities and operations. It is exciting and an honor to be part of this journey! In addition, my current research projects are focused on breeding habanero peppers for smoothness and easy-picking traits, bell pepper variety trial for growth and quality, and grafting gourds with watermelons. Collaborating with other scientists on challenging projects to find practical solutions for emerging issues is refreshing to me. Working in academia allows me to mentor and train students, discover new areas, and interact with scientists across the nation.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

The best piece of career advice I received was to emphasize networking. Networking is critical to remain relevant and learn new advances, new ways of thinking, and new opportunities that will help me advance in my career and serve as a foundation for each stage of my professional path.

Do you have a mentor that has helped you in your professional career? How have they helped you?

My career was greatly enhanced by my mother, who demonstrated strong ethics and the power of personal networks in fostering productive collaboration to tackle significant challenges.

As a woman, what is a challenge/obstacle you have faced in your career?

Work-life balance is a challenge as I am growing in my career. At a point, I might have to make a choice that calls for some sacrifice. As a woman who desires to build a meaningful career, I am mindful of what I am willing to give up, not give up, and compromise.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? How does it fall into the context of your industry?

Historically, women have always been involved in agriculture. Women’s History Month is a great time to highlight the achievements of women in agriculture and, at the same time, reflect on the attributes women have had in building and shaping our agriculture industry. It is also a great time to think about future needs and continue to prepare and inspire successive generations that are to come.