June 22, 2020
Graduate students and faculty receive North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture teaching awards
Several College of Agriculture faculty and graduate students were recently recognized for their teaching efforts at the annual North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, or NACTA Conference, which was hosted virtually this year. A major focus and intent of the society is to recognize individuals whose efforts represent the very best in agricultural higher education.
Adam Ahlers, associate professor in horticulture and natural resources, and Colby Moorberg, assistant professor in agronomy, were both recognized with NACTA Educator Awards. The award is a criterion-based award, reviewed by a committee that evaluates the nominee based on criteria such as teaching philosophy, student evaluation summary, nominee's teaching activities and supporting letters from peers and administrator.
Three graduate students were also recognized by NACTA with a Graduate Student Teaching Award: Michael Brunson, doctoral student, and Karen Schneck, master's student, both in horticulture and natural resources; and Jake Ziggafoos, a master's student in agronomy. The award is given to graduate students who are active in classroom instruction and demonstrate excellence as teaching assistants in agriculture disciplines. Nominees are reviewed by a committee of NACTA members and are evaluated based on the graduate student's teaching philosophy, their involvement in teaching outside the classroom, self-evaluation, support letters from supervising faculty, administrator and student recommendations.