GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eighteen faculty and graduate students in the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) were recognized for their excellence in teaching at the 69th annual conference of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA).
The annual conference was held in Las Cruces, New Mexico on June 20-24, 202. As a professional society, NACTA recognizes individuals committed to advancing agriculture through learning and teaching. Faculty, staff and student members come from public and private two and four-year schools across North America. The annual NACTA conference provides an environment for encouraging instructional excellence, sharing scholarship in teaching and learning, and rewarding outstanding members for their contributions.
CALS faculty and graduate students received awards across the following categories:
NACTA Educator Award
- Miguel Acevedo, assistant professor, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department
- Alison Adams, assistant professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences
- Carrie Adams, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department
- Daniel Czyz, assistant professor, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
- Melissa Jones, assistant professor, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
- Jaclyn Kropp, associate professor, Food and Resource Economics Department
- Tie Liu, assistant professor, Horticultural Sciences Department
- Jamie Loizzo, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Jen Weeks, lecturer, Entomology and Nematology Department
NACTA Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology
- Leah Diehl, lecturer, Environmental Horticulture Department
NACTA Global Engagement Early Career Award
- Anthony Auletta, lecturer, Entomology and Nematology Department
NACTA Teaching Scholar
- Jennifer Drew, lecturer, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
NACTA Distinguished Educator
- Grady Roberts, professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
NACTA Graduate Student Teaching
- Amy Brown, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Connor Meenan, doctoral student, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
- Heather Nesbitt, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Beatrice Pierre, doctoral student, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Teagan Young, doctoral student, Environmental Horticulture Department
“Our faculty and graduate students’ are dedicated to the teaching and learning of agriculture and related sciences to ensure students are prepared to address challenges through creating positive change in their communities, countries and world,” Said CALS Dean Elaine Turner.
Since NACTA added an Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology award six years ago, CALS is proud to be the home of five of the awardees in this category.
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ABOUT THE UF/IFAS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution.
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