Morris completes Doctorate; Earns second Master's Degree

Local farmer and landowner Dr. Jason C. Morris has completed all degree requirements and graduated from Mississippi State University with a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in the field of Agriculture Science while also earning a Master's of Science Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Missouri.

Dr. Morris likewise holds collegiate degrees from The University of Tennessee at Martin and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. While attending UT Martin, he received his bachelor's degree in Agriculture Science with an additional concentration in Agricultural Economics. He received his first master's degree from U.T. Knoxville where he conducted research in Tennessee Beef Marketing Alliances.

Preceding his return to graduate school, Morris worked several years for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture in Extension. He began his career as the Extension Agent in 4-H for Hardin County before becoming the 4-H and Agriculture Extension Agent covering Lewis County. During his time with Extension in Tennessee, Morris received accolades and recognition for his work in the areas of equine and beef programming. As the Lewis County 4-H agent, he was awarded the TAE 4-H Animal Science award for his work in the 4-H beef project. Coinciding, while serving asthe Extension agent in Lewis County, Morris was recognized as having the third best county Animal Science 4-H program of all counties in the thirteen state Southern Region. Additionally, he was also recognized at the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association for having the premier 4-H beef project in all of Tennessee during that same time.

During his return to graduate school, Morris served two years as the graduate assistant to the director of Extension of Mississippi State University, represented the University in a partnership trip to China, was initiated into the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society and served as the Vice President of the Mississippi State University Graduate Student organization. His research for his dissertation included Leadership and Engagement and the study of variables between both. Morris is known as the first researcher in the field of Agriculture to implement usage of the Vannsimpco leadership research instrument. During the research and data collection stage of his dissertation, Morris enrolled in the Masters of Public Affairs program at the University of Missouri. He completed all requirements for this second master's degree in only twelve months.

Morris' Doctorate degree from Mississippi State University was conveyed this past August. As Mississippi State University only holds spring and fall graduations, he participated in a special Ph.D. hooding ceremony for doctoral graduates in Lee Hall on the campus of Mississippi State University on December 8, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. On December 17, Morris participated in commencement ceremonies on the campus of The University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Dr. Morris splits time between his farm in Hohenwald and his farming operations in Missouri where he currently serves as the Regional Agriculture Business Specialist for the University of Missouri. He raises registered Hereford and Hereford crossed cattle and American Quarter horses and is involved in the timber industry.