From participating in her local high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) to receiving recognition by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) as a distinguished food and resource economics undergraduate teacher, Misti Sharp‘s passion for our food systems and awareness of their necessity shaped her path.
“I decided to pursue this field past high school because I know that feeding ourselves and others is paramount to all other goals,” Sharp said.
Passion led Sharp to the University of Arkansas, where faculty support continued to shape her path moving forward.
“As a first-generation college student, I had no clue what career options were available to me after college,” Sharp said. “Luckily, I had wonderful mentors at the University of Arkansas who encouraged me to stay in school through my master’s program and Ph.D.”
Through the opportunities made available to her to teach and participate in research, Sharp discovered her affinity for mentorship. This led her to the University of Florida, where she is an instructional associate professor and the undergraduate coordinator for the Food and Resource Economics Department. At UF, Sharp now fills a similar role for her own students as the faculty at the University of Arkansas did for her.
I love inspiring students from all different backgrounds to do their best and achieve their goals, Sharp said. It has not only an immediate payoff (their joy), but also a long-term payoff when they come and tell me all the neat things they do that are based on skills that I taught them. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of so many magnificent journeys!
Currently, Sharp teaches classes in Agritourism and Agricultural Data Analysis. In each of these courses, she utilizes a variety of case study activities, real-world learning opportunities, and problem-solving challenges.
“I use active learning across my courses to help keep the class engaged and build their critical thinking skills,” Sharp said. “This means that a lot of class time is spent actually doing work—thinking, problem-solving, and discussing the challenging scenarios that the world faces.”
It is her deep dedication to student success, accommodation of differing learning needs, and tireless efforts to provide meaningful experiences to students across all career paths that led to Sharp’s recognition this year.
AAEA selects the winners of the Distinguished Teaching Award for those in their early careers from amongst some of the top agricultural and applied economics universities in the United States and Canada. Winners are chosen based upon their outstanding ability and strong performance in fulfilling the teaching mission.
Considering her entire journey through academia, and the 20 years spent at AAEA, starting as a student competitor in the academic Quiz Bowl, Sharp sees this award as a fitting representation not just of her own accomplishments, but of those who shaped her journey along the way.
“To receive this teaching award is truly an honor not just to me, but to my mentors who have nurtured me to this point in my career,” Sharp said.
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