At Adams State’s fall commencement ceremony this December, Joshua Valentine crossed the stage as an outstanding graduate from the School of Business. Valentine, from La Jara, received a Bachelor of Science in business administration, agribusiness emphasis, and graduated Cum Laude, with honors.
Adams State has played a large role in Valentine’s family. Both of his parents, three of his grandparents, and his brother are alumni. Two of his younger sisters are currently attending and several aunts and uncles graduated from Adams State.
“The fact that the university is right in our backyard made it the perfect fit. It allowed me to stay connected to home, continue working on our family ranch, and still take advantage of the opportunities Adams State offers — both in the classroom and through internships. The support from faculty and the community made my experience even better.”
Valentine credits his professors for his success at Adams State, particularly advisor, Zena Buser, Ph.D., professor of business. “She supported me from day one — always pushing me to grow, helping me set goals, and giving me opportunities that matched both my academic interests and my work on our family ranch,” Valentine said.
Yusri Zaro, assistant professor of finance, is another faculty member who Valentine credits. “He explains complex financial concepts in a way that sticks, and he expects his students to think critically and master the material,” Valentine said. “His teaching strengthened my foundation in the financial side of agriculture and prepared me for my career in ag lending. He made me a strong student, a stronger thinker, and more confident in my abilities. Overall, my professors pushed me, supported me, and made sure I had the tools to succeed both academically and professionally.”
Valentine will accept a full-time position at First Southwest Bank. He is currently working part-time as a portfolio manager. “Long-term, I hope to keep building my career in agricultural lending while also continuing to grow and expand my family’s operation, Valentine Cattle Company. My goal is to stay rooted in the San Luis Valley and make an impact in both ag finance and ranching.”
Valentine received the USDA NextGen Scholarship, and he completed an internship with Valentine Cattle Company, which tied classroom learning directly to real-world agriculture. He appreciates his parents teaching him, and his sister, about every part of the ranch.
“They didn’t just teach us how to work cattle — they taught us the business. We grew up understanding that ranching is both physical labor and strategic financial management.”
Thanks to scholarships and the opportunities provided through Adams State and the USDA NextGen program, Valentine graduates with almost no debt, in four years. He earned his associates degree at Trinidad State College and transferred to Adams State, completing his bachelor’s degree over the next two years.
As a member of the agricultural club, Valentine traveled to Washington, D.C. “It was an incredible experience and allowed me to learn more about agricultural policy and leadership while representing Adams State.”
When Valentine started college, he had a strong work ethic and a passion for agriculture but was still figuring out who he wanted to become and how to connect classroom learning to real-life goals.
“Over the past four years, I learned how to balance school, work, and responsibilities on our ranch. I developed confidence in the financial and business side of agriculture, especially through my internship and the classes that pushed me to think more critically,” he said.
“I’m leaving Adams State with a clear career path, real-world experience, and the confidence to step into a full-time role in ag lending while continuing to help lead our family ranch. I’ve grown from just being involved in agriculture to understanding it — and being ready to take on more responsibility in both the financial world and the ranching world.”