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September 2023
NACTA Roundup and Featured Member Profile with President Nick Fuhrman
Each month we sit down with a member to highlight their academic and professional career, and to see how they are making the best of their membership in NACTA. This month’s Featured Member is 2023-2024 NACTA President Nick Fuhrman.
Nick Fuhrman, Ph.D.
Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor
Professor of Environmental Education
Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
University of Georgia
How long have you been a member of NACTA?
I became a NACTA member in 2004 when I attended the annual meeting in Gainesville, Florida. I walked into a room and sat next to Dale Layfield, who is possibly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in my life, and that was my introduction to the association. He and I struck up a friendship and got to talking about his background. I had just finished a forestry degree at Virginia Tech and had done some work with the Department of forestry. I was nervous and starting my PhD journey and felt really welcomed into the group and by being surrounded by people who love what I love.
Looking at your time with the Association, what have you most enjoyed doing?
I will say that it was such a joy to attend meetings where teaching was celebrated. Before NACTA I was attending conferences that were forest ecology-related. That’s what I was studying, and it was, and is, my passion. I was surrounded by folks who were passionate about research but not as much as the people side of education, which is where I’m really passionate. I always say that If they took students out of my job I would quit tomorrow. In NACTA I’m surrounded by people who love to be involved with students and change student lives.
The other part I’ve enjoyed is being part of the teacher recognition team. I did that for two terms (4 years). My predecessor would always say to me, “Sometimes I get a little bit nervous getting up in front of the group (at the award ceremony) and reading the bios. I wish I could do more.” I thought about that, and how I loved being in front of an audience. So I thought I’d add a little flavor, a little of my personality, when it was my job to lead the recognitions at the award ceremony. A little edu-tainment. I started asking everyone who submitted a dossier about their most memorable teaching moment and I would share that at the podium. It was neat to see that excitement and joy in the audience when I shared those stories. I wanted to add the Ranger Nick personality to what was going on there so that’s what I did.
Congratulations on the commencement of your term as president. What do you hope to accomplish during your term? What are your aspirations and plans. What are you looking forward to?
Number 1 is to keep NACTA on everyone’s minds throughout the year and not just when February 1 rolls around. I want to keep NACTA on everyone’s minds throughout the year because when it is we are all ambassadors. We are all busy, but my hope is that we can all keep NACTA top of mind and share it.
I also see a place for natural resources within NACTA. I would love to see a greater attendance of natural resources educators and researchers at our events. We have about 70 faculty here at UGA who are doing some incredible teaching. I’ve been really telling people about NACTA and sharing how they can get involved. Everyone would benefit by welcoming these folks into the fold.
I also hope to help support and enhance the diversity of our membership. Undergrads need to be more involved. UGA has a push on undergrad student research. We found here that it’s a great gateway into graduate school. I feel that if undergraduate students were introduced to our culture that they would want to be more involved with it. Let’s get our students involved when we can.
What interesting things are you working on outside the Association right now? Research, presentations, etc.
One of my passions is sharing through a TV camera. Next year will mark 10 years that I’ve been doing the Ranger Nick series, which airs locally and nationally throughout the US. Our crew has continued to grow and evolve. I’m changing the way we produce the segments and how they look as well as what stories we are telling. I’ve learned a lot about how to tell a story on television.
I also love to share how animals can reduce public speaking anxiety. Animals, or simply holding something in your hand, can take the attention off you and put it on the thing you are holding. So, I’ve had Snowy, a white corn snake, for 18 years. She is probably 25 years old but I’m not totally sure since I she was already an adult when I adopted her. Snowy is an old, asthmatic lady. When I tell students or crowds about her health issues they empathize with her and want to get closer with her. Even if they are shy, don’t want to be near a snake, or have any other sort of anxiety, hearing about Snowy and getting to meet her bring them a general calm. Teaching people to have a comfort with yourself and have a conversation with an audience is an art and I think it’s a lot of fun. I love to help show people how to weave your personality within your role as a communicator.
Looking back at your time during your graduate studies and early career, if you could give your younger self a piece of advice what would it be?
I would say to do you and do it the best that you can. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. The worst thing we do is compare ourselves to other people. Let’s think about what you’re doing and what your niche is. How are you going to tell your story and sell your value. Where does your role fit into the bigger picture? Don’t be afraid to carve out who you are.
I had colleagues lose sleep about P&T and I would say, “You know, if I don’t make it, I’ll just go and do something else. If teaching is not valued where I am, I’ll go somewhere else.” I spend some of my time on grants and publications, but I spend most of my time on teaching. I really believe that that’s why we’re here. When I feel like I’m doing a good job in the classroom I’m better at everything else. All the other things fall into place. We are in such a wonderful career path.
I am forever grateful for what I get to do every day. As a teacher, you should be the most excited one walking in the door. Within reason, we can basically do anything we want. Last week we were throwing paper airplanes in class to learn about how vultures soar. That’s what it’s all about and it’s so much fun. That is total Ranger Nick right there.
What is a pet peeve of yours?
It takes a lot for me to have a bad day. When I hear faculty talk about students in a negative way that is a pet peeve of mine. Any time a student is put in a bad situation and there is something I can do about it; I love to be able to help. Each of those students is someone’s child and they need someone to care for them and look out for them.
Anything else that you would like to add?
It is so humbling to me to get to serve in this role as NACTA President. If I can make a little bit of difference in the organization I would be so thrilled. Getting to spend time with leadership and membership throughout the year is a joy. I’m so grateful and thankful for the opportunity.
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Upcoming NACTA Events - September
Don't Miss This FREE NACTA Webinar: Artificial Intelligence and Pedagogy
Don't miss your chance to join the Educational Issues and Teaching Improvement Committee (EITI) for their FREE webinar on Wednesday, September 27! Widespread availability of artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, GPT-4, and artificial intelligence tutors such as Khanmigo provide opportunities and introduce threats to our traditional instructional models. After a brief introduction to the functionality of AI tools and the scope of its use for instruction, we will discuss how it can facilitate teaching and how we can develop assignments, assessments, and projects that recognize that AI is available to students. Come prepared with your ideas!
Webinar Title: Addressing
Post-Covid Praxis Expectations
Webinar Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2:00 p.m. ET
Presenter: Dr. Cheryl Wachenheim, North Dakota State University
Topics:
- Introduction to artificial intelligence
- Defining
- Demonstrating examples of its use
- Use of artificial intelligence in instruction
- Developing instructional materials (e.g., open educational resources, assignments, case studies)
- As a component of assignments (student use of artificial intelligence)
- Grading work
- Others (participant discussion, either in breakout rooms or as a group, depending on number of participants). If in breakout rooms, have someone report on additional ideas
- Appropriate use of artificial intelligence by students (defining what is okay and what is not). Participants share their experiences, ideas on syllabus statements, means to leverage learning with AI.
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Share Your NACTA Vision at the 2023 Townhall
Following up on the thought provoking and illuminating strategic planning session, led by President Nick Fuhrman at the 2023 Annual Conference in Las Cruces, NACTA would like to welcome all members to join a follow up townhall meeting.
Meant as a venue to discuss the findings from that session and collaborate on steps forward, Dr. Fuhrman will lead two sessions with NACTA members aimed at strategizing growth for NACTA during his presidency and beyond.
NACTA Townhall Session 1
Thursday, September 28 - 3:00pm Eastern/12PM Pacific
Register in advance for this meeting
NACTA Townhall Session 2
Friday,
September 29 - 11:00am Eastern/8:00am Pacific
Register in advance for this meeting
We hope that you will join one or both of these sessions, which will plan to cover the same content
but be delivered at times in the hope that most can attend at least one. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to support@nactateachers.org.
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Save the Date for the 2024 NACTA Judging Conference
NACTA is pleased to invite you to join us at our next year’s Judging Conference. Learn more about this exciting event and keep your calendars open!
April 17-20, 2024
The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) in Twin Falls is very pleased to be serving as the host of the 2024 NACTA Judging Conference on April 17-20, 2024. Located in Twin Falls, ID, CSI is one of the fastest growing educational
institutions in the State of Idaho. They are recognized for outstanding faculty, facilities and our student-centered environment.
The Judging Conference is open to all 2-year
and 4-year schools that have institutional a NACTA membership. Contests and events will be in and around the Twin Falls area with support from multiple area businesses. We hope the NACTA crowd will make themselves Ida-Home with all the local agriculture!
More information on the 2024 Judging Conference, including a full schedule of events and registration details, will be made available later this fall. Keep an eye on your inbox!
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How to Update Your Member Profile
Wondering the best way to find other NACTA members or make it easier for others to find you? Make sure
your membership profile is up to date with your region, institution, research interests, discipline and profile
photo are current by logging in and updating all your info. Follow along with the tutorial video above
by logging in here.
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New NACTA Members
NACTA had 13 new members in August. We hope you will join us in welcoming them!
Central
Bruce Dunn, OK
Lucie Kadjo, WI
Kristine Micheletti, IA
Southern
Jillian Bohlen, GA
Sarah da Silva Benevenute, FL
Jason Dossett,
Matthew Gold, FL
Brian Parr, KY
Wayne Randall, GA
Kaylee Travis, OK
Western
Steven Chumbley, TX
Casey Coombs, UT
Michael Pate, UT
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Join or Renew Your NACTA Membership
NACTA is the largest professional development organization that focuses specifically on the scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture, food and natural resources. Need to renew your membership? Want to invite a colleague to join? Want to change your membership status? Visit the
membership page here. We appreciate your NACTA membership!
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