10 Questions with Manoj Shukla, incoming department head of Crop and Soil Science. He is currently a professor of soil physics at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he leads and manages the soil physics program.

What drew you to Oregon State University?

Oregon State University is a top-tier research institution (R1) with an outstanding online program. Its global online presence is crucial for success in the challenging years ahead. OSU collaborates closely with a diverse range of stakeholders to address agricultural challenges, with the goal of improving the lives of people in the state. The campus is beautiful, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking. While my previous job responsibilities were similar, the scale at OSU is much larger, providing a perfect opportunity to push myself further.

What makes you passionate about higher education?

I strongly believe that higher education is fundamental to improving the lives of people. Being able to work with students, teach them and learn from them, and just having an opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives is what makes me passionate about higher education. 

You have a strong passion for mentoring both faculty and students. How will you bring that passion to Oregon State?

Early in my career, I worked hard to build a solid foundation, and along the way, many people helped me achieve my goals. As I progressed in my career, I realized that it is now my turn to engage with younger faculty and students in a meaningful way and support them in achieving success. In the Department of CSS, there are many early-career faculty members and students. I plan to reach out to them, listen to their needs, and find ways to motivate and guide them as they navigate their own paths to success.

What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?

Education is an opportunity that they must avail themselves of. They should always try to give their 110% because when you move in the right direction with sincerity and dedication, success takes care of itself.

Crop and soil science includes many faculty both on the Corvallis campus and in Extension and experiment stations across the state. In your role as a department leader, how will you balance the unique needs of those various groups?

You are right, the CSS department is highly diverse, both in terms of expertise and geographic location, with each member bringing unique expertise. However, many departments within U.S. colleges of agriculture face similar issues. My prior experience as both a member and chair of the college’s promotion and tenure committee has given me a deeper understanding of the strengths that faculty in teaching, research, extension and outreach at both main and branch campuses possess. I am also familiar with some of the connectivity issues and other challenges faced by faculty at branch campuses. While there are no easy solutions, I believe that by leveraging technology and available resources effectively, I can reach out to these faculty members and hopefully inspire and motivate them. The bottom line is that a department can only make meaningful progress when everyone is fully engaged and on board. 

What was your favorite course in college?

It was hydrology. I was always interested in water.

Research funding is essential to your department. How do you plan to work with faculty to increase grants?

I will focus on increasing awareness of funding opportunities and, whenever possible, alert faculty to relevant grants. Additionally, I will work to foster connections between senior, more established faculty members and early-career faculty. Early-career faculty are often highly motivated to secure external grants, and I will collaborate with them to identify and overcome any obstacles to applying for large grants.  

You lived in Las Cruces for almost two decades. What will you miss the most about New Mexico?

I will miss my neighbors. I live in a community where many people have migrated from different places, and we have formed a close-knit group. We interact frequently and support one another like family.

What places or experiences are you most looking forward to when you move to Oregon?

I am looking forward to visiting the east side of the state to have a better understanding of the rain shadow effect and irrigation practices to mitigate it. 

What is your favorite non-academic pursuit or passion?

I would say hiking or going for long walks.

Though the Oregon women’s basketball team didn’t get off to a hot start like it did Monday against Cal Baptist, it took care of business with its defense in a 76-58 win over Nevada Wednesday at Matthew Knight Arena.

The Ducks fell into an early hole in the first quarter, 14-12, before a dominant second quarter set them apart from the Wolf Pack (0-1). Oregon won the second frame, 28-9, holding Nevada to 3-for-13 shooting from the field and forcing eight turnovers.

“When we amp it up defensively, it creates better offense and we just play better,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves said. “We just got more aggressive.”

While the Oregon defense put a lock on the Nevada offense, North Carolina transfer guard Deja Kelly did exactly what she was brought in to do, scoring 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers. Fellow senior guard Peyton Scott had 12 points, and Amina Muhammad (13 points) and Alexis Whitfield (10 points) rounded out double-figure scorers.

“We want her to be more aggressive and more assertive,” Graves said of Kelly. “She has showed what she can do when she’s the focal point. I thought she played really, really well with a good floor game.”

What’s next for the Oregon women’s basketball team?

The Ducks (2-0) take on No. 12 Baylor at Matthew Knight Arena at 7 p.m. Sunday Last season, Oregon lost to Baylor in Waco, Texas, 71-51.

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @AlecDietz.

Data Skrive

The San Jose State Spartans (5-3) are 3-point underdogs heading into their matchup on Saturday, November 9, 2024 against the Oregon State Beavers (4-4). The game has a point total set at 55.5.

Last time out, the Beavers fell to the California Golden Bears, with 44-7 being the final score. Last time out, the Spartans fell to the Fresno State Bulldogs, with 33-10 being the final score.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Game Information & Odds

• When: Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon
• TV: The CW
• Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  Oregon State (-3)
  
  

• Pick OU: Under (55.5)
  
• Prediction: Oregon State 29, San Jose State 26

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Oregon State Beavers vs. the San Jose State Spartans game on FOX Sports!

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Betting Insights

• Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Beavers 29, Spartans 26.
• The Beavers have a 59.5% chance to collect the win in this meeting per the moneyline’s implied probability. The Spartans have a 45.0% implied probability.
• Oregon State has covered twice in seven games with a spread this season.
• San Jose State has won four games against the spread this year, failing to cover four times.

Oregon State vs. San Jose State: 2024 Stats Comparison

Oregon State 2024 Key Players

San Jose State 2024 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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