NACTA Newsletter - May 2025 (Standard)
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
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Posted by: NACTA
May 2025 (Standard) NACTA President Cheryl Wachenheim's Message
NACTA Experiential Learning Webinar
NACTA 2025 Conference Blue Ribbon and Keynote Speakers
NACTA Journal Updates
New NACTA Members
Renew Your NACTA Membership 
NACTA Roundup with President Cheryl Wachenheim
Even as the years have flown by our young ones now stand before us as adults, their inner children seem to pop up just when we need to smile. From thousands of miles away over incredible technology that has me seemingly next to them as they stand in the glow of a nighttime Eiffel Tower, my son says, "Hey mom, can February March?" It took me a minute to recognize the classic spring question he has asked me for over two decades. I replied, "no, but April may." Doesn't take much to have the Wachenheim family in stitches. Spring truly is here and with it all the usual excitement in the air on campus and in our academic lives. In NACTA, we have a lot to celebrate. The Judging Conference was fantastic. A shout-out to the Judging Conference Committee and all the schools who competed. We are looking forward to the annual NACTA Conference which, thanks to our members, committee leadership, and JulNet, will also be great! I am excited to have everyone join us in the first annual 5K. I will personally be taking up the rear just to make sure all the members get in safely. I imagine by the time this newsletter posts a month from now, we will be engaged in or grading final exams, preparing for graduation, and otherwise celebrating another great year of teaching. Give yourselves a pat on the back. You have done amazing things this year that will continue to make an important difference in the lives of so many folks as they carry your lessons forward in their lives and share them with others along the way. You are amazing teachers, in every facet of your lives, and I am proud to know you and excited to share time with you come June. Your service to NATA and all the organizations and initiatives that help others is so very much appreciated. Thank you my friends,
Cheryl Top ↑ 
NACTA Experiential Learning WebinarNACTA is excited to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Karcher, of Purdue University, and Dr. Daniel Foster, of the Penn State University, as the fifth and final presenters for the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar! Their presentation is titled "Best Practices for Experiential Learning for Global Learning: Lessons From the Field" and will take place for the fifth and final session of the webinar series at 1:00 PM EDT Wednesday, May 14, 2025.  
Dr. Elizabeth Karcher, PhD, Professor, Purdue University (Left)
Dr. Daniel Foster, PhD, Associate Professor, Penn State University (Right) In this session, Dr. Karcher and Dr. Foster will feature some case studies and perspectives from different countries and cultures on how Experiential Learning can be implemented and valued. The discussion will expand to global studies & travel. For more information on the NACTA 2025 Experiential Learning Webinar Series, click here. To register for the series, click here. Top ↑ 
NACTA 2025 Conference Blue Ribbon and Keynote Speakers
Blue Ribbon Speaker 
Dr. Frank Robinson Emeritus Professor
University of Alberta Dr. Frank Robinson, who started at the University of Alberta as a Professor of Poultry Production and Physiology in 1986, has served the U of A in several administrative positions including Vice-Provost and Dean of Students (2008 - 2014). He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Canadian Poultry Research Hall of Fame, was awarded a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, and is a Fellow of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and the Poultry Science Association. Through creative endeavors in engaging undergraduate students in experiential learning and promoting active industry integration, Frank has helped students find their careers in animal and poultry science, agricultural community development and research. He has given countless public talks about animal agriculture, and is recognized locally, nationally and internationally for expertise in small flock and large commercial poultry production. Keynote Speaker 
Dr. Connie Varnhagen Professor Emerita
University of Alberta Dr. Varnhagen is professor emerita and inaugural Academic Director of the Undergraduate Research Initiative at the University of Alberta. She is a strong proponent of all aspects of experiential learning. From large introductory lecture courses to small senior level courses, students apply concepts learned in lecture to real world settings, conduct research to support policy development, and critically reflect on their learning and experiences in service to the community. Originally trained as a developmental scientist with a BA(Hon) in Psychology from Kenyon College, a MA in Psychology from Notre Dame University, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Varnhagen has taught and conducted research in the Faculties of Science, Arts, and Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta. With student research and experiential learning, Dr. Varnhagen developed a charity devoted to supporting the human-animal bond between vulnerable people and their companion animals and providing no cost veterinary services. Many of her students who completed veterinary school volunteer with the veterinary service and continue to engage in experiential learning and research to help improve animal welfare and the human condition. Dr. Varnhagen has been honored with numerous teaching awards, the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, recognizing educational leadership and teaching, an Honorary Degree in Sciences from the University of Alberta, recognizing contributions to education, research and community service, the King Charles III Medal for community development, and several awards from the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association for meritorious contributions to the field. For more information on the NACTA 2025 Conference Workshop Presenters, click here. For more information on the NACTA 2025 Conference and to register, click here. Top ↑  NACTA Journal UpdatesFounded in 1963, The NACTA Journal is a professional refereed journal published by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). It is directed toward the scholarship of teaching and learning and the professional advancement of the teaching of agriculture and related disciplines. The NACTA Journal presents papers on all aspects of teaching, including methods, problems, philosophy, and rewards. The Journal offers something for every teacher in agriculture or a related discipline. Whether traditional classroom or extension-related, its primary purpose is to strengthen professional competence in college and adult teaching. April 2025: - 3 Submissions Received
- 2 Published
For more information on the NACTA Journal, and to submit a manuscript or teaching tip, click here. 
New NACTA MembersNACTA has 28 new members since our last newsletter. We hope you will join us in welcoming them! Western
Logan Haviland, UT
Greg Brooks, NM
Sofia Uvina, NM
Amy Muise, NM
Barbara Chamberlin, NM Southern
Jessica Dammers Hemphill, TX
Jana Owen, TX
Johanna Biang, OK
Gerardo Nunez, FL
Semira Curry, TN
Grace Colvin, TN
Jodi Morton, LA
Aaliyah Cotton, TN
Abbas Aboohamidi, TX Eastern
Wyatt Driskell, KY
Kellie Clafin, OH
Rachel Hendrix, WV
Janeen Fields, IN
Ashley York, IN Central
Sidney Schnor, IA
Aravind Sai Sarathy, WI
Catherine Swooboda, IA
Jakob Jerabek, IA
Lydia Trandem, ND
Josi Solsaa, ND
Brandie Disberger, KS Canadian
Tracy Quinton
Darrell Hickman Top ↑ 
Renew Your NACTA MembershipNACTA 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! Top ↑
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