Tim Leavy, a student in the Agribusiness Economics and Management program at the University of Arizona, has taken an unconventional path to his undergraduate studies. Initially pursuing an English degree at Northern Arizona University, Leavy left college to work in the service industry before returning to academia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on his decision to return to school, Leavy said, “Yeah, it’s terrifying, but it’s like the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I mean, aside from getting married,” he added with a laugh. “As an older student, I’m actually energized by sitting through class. And doing well on a test, or doing well in the class generally, became super rewarding.”
Leavy’s interest in agriculture is rooted in his family history. His grandfather immigrated from County Meath in Ireland and worked as a butcher before starting a wholesale food distribution company in the United States. Growing up surrounded by discussions about agricultural markets influenced Leavy’s choice of major.
At the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), Leavy found coursework that combined his interests in agriculture, economics, and environmental policy. He credits faculty members for connecting him with opportunities such as the Equitable Agriculture Fellowship at UC Santa Barbara and research positions addressing food waste reduction for organizations like the Pima County Food Alliance.
He encourages other students to seek out support from professors: “I ended up getting all these different opportunities over the past year because I was chatting with one of my professors, and the minute I left her office, my inbox just started getting hit with things. Like, here’s this internship, here’s this research opportunity… Put your foot in the door. They’ll bury you in opportunities if you ask them to. They just are waiting for students to ask.”
Leavy has been recognized academically by making Dean’s List every semester since enrolling at the university and receiving several scholarships.
Looking ahead to graduation in spring 2026 as a first-generation college student, Leavy plans to apply for graduate programs such as CALES’ M.S. in Applied Economics and Policy Analysis. He emphasizes that food systems are closely linked with environmental issues and water resources management.
“I see them all connected, like our food system is directly tied to environmental degradation, which is tied to water resources,” he said.
For more information about the Agribusiness Economics and Management program at University of Arizona CALES visit their official page.
