Deanna Retzlaff earned her B.S. degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Tennessee (Martin, TN). She then continued her education at Kansas State University, earning a Ph.D. in Food Science, with a focus on food safety. Deanna left the university to manage a commercial analytical laboratory for three years before returning to K-State in 2002.

Deanna assists faculty members in the development and implementation of food science and animal science distance education courses and modules. She is also the Bachelor Degree Completion Program Advisor for Food Science and Animal Science majors completing their degrees via distance education. There are currently more than 125 advisees in this program.

Deanna is a member of the University Continuing Education Association, the American Society for Microbiology, the International Association for Food Protection, and the Institute of Food Technologists. In 2005 she received the Support Specialist Award for the Great Plains Region of the University Continuing Education Association.

Deanna, her husband Robert, and their two young daughters (Abby and Elle) reside outside of Westmoreland with their horses and dogs.