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Rooted in our founding principle of experiential learning from our beginnings as a farm school, we've expanded over the years to encompass business, the humanities and beyond. Our hands-on approach ensures that our alumni graduate with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to make an impact in a wide range of industries. From farms and barns to banks, hospitals, and beyond, our alumni’s offices are as varied as their careers. Whether working in labs, leading in business, or innovating in traditional office spaces, our graduates bring DelVal expertise into many work environments.

Brooke Kitting ’18, VMD Director of Sow Health, Seaboard Foods

Dr. Kitting, DelVal Class of 2018, holds the title of Director of Sow Health for Seaboard Foods, overseeing the health and welfare of more than 280,000 sows across four states—Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado.

Office Space: While her work takes her across vast territories, Dr. Kitting’s "office" is primarily on site at sow farms scattered throughout the four states she oversees. From barns to pastures, her days are spent in and out of facilities, ensuring the health and well-being of thousands of animals. Her home base is Seaboard Foods’ headquarters in Guymon, Oklahoma, but her office is anywhere her expertise is needed.

Role and Responsibilities: Dr. Kitting’s responsibilities are wide-ranging. She provides direct veterinary care to the animals, develops health systems and strategies, and works with different areas of the business to ensure optimal animal welfare. Whether performing veterinary services, conducting employee training, or consulting on technical matters, her work ensures the overall health of the sows under her care. She spends much of her time traveling many miles between farms, providing support and expertise where it’s needed most.

Connection to DelVal: Dr. Kitting graduated from DelVal with a degree in Animal Science on the pre-professional track, aspiring to become a veterinarian. During her time at DelVal, she was deeply involved in campus life and held various leadership positions including the women’s soccer team and clubs like Block and Bridle, Collegiate FFA, and Pre-Vet Club. She was even inducted into the Delta Tau Alpha and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. She spent every summer during college working at a different internship, exploring various industries and gaining real-world experiences that helped carve out her career path. After DelVal, she pursued her ultimate dream, earning her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, specializing in food animal medicine with a focus on swine production. In 2024, she earned an MS in Animal Health & Industry from Texas Tech University where her research specialized in swine production welfare.

The Rewarding Aspect: In addition to her veterinary work, Dr. Kitting was recently named to The Meat Institute’s Emerging Leaders Class of 2025, a distinction that highlights her as one of the industry’s rising stars. “I have the capability to make a difference in the lives of the people and the pigs that I work with every single day. I work diligently to maintain the integrity of our health initiatives and welfare standards across the organization. Our animals, our people, and this business motivate me to always be the best I can be. I am so passionate about this industry, and I am proud to represent the Seaboard Foods’ brand” she says.