LCCC’s Katie Shockley part of Cowgirl 30 Under 30 2025 class

At Laramie County Community College, Katie Shockley blends empathy with expertise to inspire students to see agriculture not just as a career, but as a calling.

“Agriculture isn’t just a green field with cows; it’s a dynamic, inclusive industry that needs fresh ideas to tackle future challenges,” she said. “I love watching students get excited about an opportunity they didn’t know existed. That’s the best part of what I do.”

Since August 2021, Katie has been the Ag & Equine Pathway coordinator at LCCC, where she guides students toward discovering opportunities in agriculture and ensures the program aligns with industry needs. 

Her dedication to reshaping perceptions of agriculture and empowering the next generation hasn't gone unnoticed — Katie has been named to the 2025 class of the Wrangler COWGIRL 30 Under 30.

“It’s an honor that reminds me why I do what I do — helping others see the value and potential within agriculture,” she said. 

The Wrangler COWGIRL 30 Under 30 program, established by COWGIRL magazine and now in its sixth year, celebrates exceptional women under 30 who are making significant contributions to the Western industry. Honorees, selected for their innovation, leadership and dedication to sustaining the industry, represent diverse fields such as agriculture, media and corporate leadership. 

Among the 2025 class are four women from Wyoming, including Katie, whose selection highlights her impact in shaping the future of agriculture and education. In April, Katie will join fellow honorees at the Sixth Annual Wrangler COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Empowered Gala in Arlington, Texas, a three-day event featuring professional development, networking opportunities and celebrations of their achievements.

An extraordinary honor

Katie had followed the award for years, admiring its honorees as true trailblazers with remarkable backgrounds.

“I’ve been following the program for a couple of years, and I’ve always been amazed and impressed by the backgrounds of the women they select,” Katie said.

Seeing peers from Wyoming and her alma maters at the University of Wyoming and Oklahoma State University among previous recipients motivated her to apply. Despite initially doubting her chances, she approached the application as a learning experience and tempered her expectations, unsure if this would be her year.

“I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up, so when I got the email, I read it at least four times before believing it was real,” Katie said with a laugh.

Even with her accomplishments in agriculture, Katie admitted she didn’t see herself fitting the traditional mold of a “cowgirl.” Now, being named to the 2025 class, she hopes the distinction will help challenge stereotypes and reshape perceptions of what it means to be part of the agriculture industry.

“I try to encourage students to change their perceptions of what agriculture is — you don’t have to be this specific thing to be part of it,” she said.

Using experience to serve students

Despite seeing herself as different from certain agricultural stereotypes, Katie has been deeply connected to the industry her entire life, growing up on agricultural operations, participating in 4-H and gaining hands-on experience with livestock. 

Katie credits her family for being highly supportive throughout her journey. The mutual respect and collaboration within her family were pivotal in shaping her confidence and skills.

“My family has always been incredibly supportive,” Katie said. “They’ve encouraged me every step of the way, and my older brother, especially, has been a huge mentor and role model for me.”

Those developmental experiences showed Katie that agriculture is more than an industry — it’s a way of life and the building block of civilization. 

“My upbringing taught me that agriculture is more than a career — it’s a lifestyle and a responsibility to sustain society,” she said. 

In going to college, Katie wasn’t sure what path to pursue. Feeling in some ways apart from ag culture, she pursued a journalism track at the University of Wyoming. But she soon longed to be a part of the agricultural lifestyle and looked for ways to integrate her interests. This led her to study agriculture communication. 

After graduating from UW in 2019, she went on to Oklahoma State University where she pursued a Master’s in Agricultural Communication/Journalism. Her research focused on the perceptions of agriculture, examining the disconnect between how people within and outside the industry view it, both visually and verbally.

Now helping agriculture and equine students at LCCC, Katie constantly works to broaden students’ perspectives on what agriculture careers can entail. She highlights the diversity of roles available, from technical positions to leadership and creative fields. Working closely with first-year students in the Strategies for Success course, Katie helps them navigate the broad and sometimes overwhelming scope of the agricultural industry. 

The goal is to ensure students don’t feel pigeonholed into traditional career paths, emphasizing the broad world of careers that apply to agriculture. 

Drawing from her own experience, Katie helps students understand that discovering a career path often requires exploration. By combining her industry expertise, communication skills and leadership, she creates an environment where students can freely explore their interests and uncover opportunities that align with their passions and strengths. Through this personalized guidance, Katie empowers students to navigate the broad and varied possibilities within the agricultural industry.

“I always tell students, you don’t have to come in with an idea of a specific career,” she said. “Be open-minded, and if you follow the opportunities that excite you, you’ll find the right path.”

Making connections

As Katie prepares to attend the gala in Texas in April, she said she’s reflecting on how the recognition affirms her mission to inspire students and reshape perceptions of agriculture. For her, the award isn’t just a personal achievement — it’s an opportunity to bring back insights, connections and a renewed sense of purpose to share with her students. 

“The most exciting part is meeting other incredible women in this program and learning from their experiences,” she said. “Every connection I make expands what I can offer my students, helping them see even more possibilities for their futures.” 

With the 30 Under 30 honor, Katie said she sees not just validation of her efforts but also a reminder of the industry’s need for innovation, inclusion and leadership — a vision she embodies every day at LCCC.

Go to cowgirl30under30.com for more information about the designation and the complete class of 2025. Visit lccc.wy.edu for more information about LCCC’s Ag & Equine Pathway.