Acknowledging excellence in teaching, eighteen faculty and graduate students from the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) were honored during the 70th annual conference of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA).
The event, held this year in Wooster, Ohio, from June 24-28, serves as a community for professionals dedicated to advancing teaching and education in the areas of agriculture, natural resources and
related sciences. NACTA, as a professional society, champions individuals devoted to the enhancement of agricultural knowledge through pedagogy and scholarship. Drawing participants from diverse educational institutions across North America, the conference promotes an atmosphere of instructional innovation and knowledge exchange, and recognizes significant contributions to the field.
CALS faculty and graduate students received awards across the following two categories:
NACTA Educator Award
- Michelle Abraczinskas, assistant professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Soohyoun Ann, instructional assistant professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
- Anthony Auletta, instructional assistant professor, Entomology and Nematology Department
- Fernanda Batistel, assistant professor, Department of Animal Sciences
- Laura Greenhaw, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Andrew MacIntosh, assistant professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
- Samuel Martins, assistant professor, Plant Pathology Department
- Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, assistant professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Adam Watson, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
NACTA Graduate Student Teaching Award
- Orlando Acevedo-Charry, doctoral student, School of Natural Resources and Environment
- Carol Atkins Hayes, master’s student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Carrie Baker, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Madison Dyment, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Matthew Gold, master’s student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Brynn Johnson-Chace, doctoral student, Entomology and Nematology Department
- Caroline Nickerson, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
- Kimber Sarver, doctoral student, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Gabriel Spandau, doctoral student, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
In addition, Ethan Jennings, microbiology and cell science undergraduate student; Dina Liebowitz, plant science program director and instructional assistant professor in horticultural sciences; and Tie Liu, undergraduate advisor and assistant professor in horticultural sciences, were recognized with the Bob Gough Teaching Tip Award. This honor recognized the trio for their teaching tip published in the NACTA Journal, titled “Incorporating active learning through teaching garden teams and field trips.”
“In CALS, our faculty and graduate students are passionately committed to cultivating excellence in teaching. Their dedication ensures our students are not only equipped to tackle challenges, but are also empowered to create positive change in their communities, countries and the world,” said CALS Dean Elaine Turner.
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ABOUT THE UF 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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