From starting over to standing out: Mackenzie Hodge leaves her mark

BY KELLAN BYARS
Multimedia Journalist

Starting from what she calls “rock bottom” in agriculture, Mackenzie Hodge went from uncertainty to one of the most decorated student careers in Tarleton’s animal science program this year.

Her path into agriculture started with a lot more questions than answers.

“I’ve always liked math and science,” Hodge said. “I knew I wanted to go into some sort of medicine that would allow me to work hands-on.”

Originally, she envisioned a future in human sports medicine, shaped by years of involvement in athletics. But everything changed when she volunteered at a retired Clydesdale rescue.

“Learning how to care for them and make them feel better, my passions changed,” she said. “That’s when I started looking into pre-vet and animal science programs, which is when I found Tarleton, and everything fell into place.”

Hodge grew up in Arizona, and with both parents working in offices, agriculture wasn’t something she had much experience with. That reality presented one of the biggest challenges of her college career, but also one of her greatest motivators.

“What seemed to be base knowledge for everyone else was brand new to me,” she said. “I had to start from the absolute rock bottom and try to bring myself up to everyone else’s level.”

Instead of it discouraging her, Hodge let that obstacle push her forward.

“It was challenging, but so rewarding,” Hodge said. “I’m still working to learn everything I can about this industry.”

Her willingness to embrace the unfamiliar quickly set her apart. Dr. Contreras, one of her professors and research mentors, remembers noticing that drive early on.

“She’s asking the questions, wanting to learn more, and that’s something we don’t have in every student,” Contreras said.

Hodge’s academic experience was shaped significantly by her involvement in research. After taking genetics, she began working with Contreras on a project studying heat stress in lambs and its effects on growth and meat quality.

As an undergraduate research assistant, Hodge immersed herself in every aspect of the work, from animal handling to collecting blood samples, assisting with ultrasonography and analyzing postmortem carcass data.

“She was not paid, she was just working voluntarily,” Contreras said. “But she never said no, and she never missed a shift.”

That level of dedication left a lasting impression.

“She was a very reliable student with self-motivation and really good leadership skills,” Contreras said.

For Hodge, the experience was transformative.

“It truly opened my eyes to what research is and how much I love it,” she said.

She later expanded her research experience through her honors thesis, a meta-analysis on nutritional management methods for musculoskeletal diseases in working dogs. Through that project, she gained experience designing methodologies, writing proposals and analyzing complex data.

“It’s been amazing getting to see the behind-the-scenes aspect of research,” Hodge said.

Her work also led her to present at the American Society of Animal Science conference, marking her first professional conference experience and further solidifying her passion for the field.

Hodge also made her mark through extensive campus involvement and leadership.

Over four years, she participated in numerous organizations, including the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ambassador program, Alpha Chi Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. She also served as a teaching assistant for genetics and applied nutrition and worked as a paper grader in the math department.

Her leadership journey within PVMA stands out as especially meaningful. After serving as risk management officer, she was elected president for her senior year.

“Leadership to me has always been about proving your own success and then helping others get there too,” Hodge said.

That mindset reflects what her professor observed in her daily interactions.

“She wanted everybody to succeed next to her,” Contreras said. “She is light.”

Hodge emphasized that leadership isn’t about recognition, it’s about responsibility.

“Being in those roles taught me the importance of supporting people who look up to you,” Hodge said. “They deserve to learn from your experiences –- what helped, what didn’t, all of it.”

Hodge’s dedication did not go unnoticed. Among her proudest accomplishments are receiving the John Tarleton Spirit Award and being named the Spring 2026 Outstanding Animal Science Undergraduate.

“The Spirit Award reaffirmed everything I’ve done over the past four years,” she said. “It encourages me to keep pursuing these opportunities.”

For Hodge, the Outstanding Animal Science Undergraduate award carries especially deep meaning.

“Since I don’t have a background in agriculture, it means a lot,” she said. “It shows that I made strong connections with my professors and put myself out of my comfort zone enough to show how hard I’m willing to work.”

Her growth from a student unfamiliar with agriculture to one of the program’s top graduates speaks volumes about her determination.

When Hodge first arrived at Tarleton, she described herself as an introvert. But it soon became a space for transformation.

“I decided that I could be whoever I wanted to be,” she said.

Through research, leadership roles and pushing herself into new experiences, Hodge gradually built confidence in herself and her work.

Her professor witnessed that change firsthand.

“She was very shy, but by the end of her senior year, she wasn’t that shy girl anymore,” Contreras said.

Hodge now looks back on her journey with a sense of pride and perspective.

“I remember seeing someone in high school with all these awards on their stole and thinking, ‘I wish that could be me,’” she said. “Now I look around, and I realize it is me.”

Like many Tarleton students, Hodge’s experience was shaped not only by academics but also by campus traditions and memories.

One moment she says she will never forget is participating in the tradition of launching ducks, a symbolic representation of personal growth and changing goals.

She even kept her rubber ducks over the years as a reminder of how far she’d come.

Another memorable experience came early in her freshman year during a Purple Thursday.

“I got yelled at by the president for not wearing purple,” she said. “But then we took a picture together, and we still keep in touch. It’s one of those fun memories that really captures Tarleton.”

While Hodge’s time at Tarleton is marked by academic achievement and leadership, it’s the smaller, unexpected moments that she says truly defined her college experience.

“They’re the kinds of memories you don’t expect to matter as much as they do,” Hodge said. “But they end up being the ones you never forget.”

This fall, Hodge will take the next step in her journey as she begins veterinary school, with plans to pursue a career in rural veterinary medicine.

“She has that heart that cares,” Contreras said. “She’s doing it genuinely because she wants to help.”

In rural communities, where access to veterinary care can be limited, professionals like Hodge play a critical role.

“I know she will make a great impact,” Contreras said. “She will give back everything that we as professors have invested in her.”

Hodge credits Tarleton with preparing her for this next chapter, not just academically, but personally.

“Tarleton gave me the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone and grow,” Hodge said. “It helped me build my public speaking and professionalism skills to a point I never thought I’d reach.”

As she reflects on her time at Tarleton, Hodge emphasizes one key lesson: balance.

“School is extremely important, but so are experiences,” Hodge said. “Go out, have fun, live your life, but also take your education seriously. Work hard, play hard.”

That balance, combined with her work ethic, compassion and humility, defines not only her college experience but also the path she’s carving forward.

Contreras perhaps said it best:

“She’s talented, smart, kind, caring, self-motivated, dedicated and above all, she just has a good heart.”