CANR's Excellence in Teaching Award Winners 2017
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EmailThe Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources presented Jade Mitchell, Corey Higley, and Matt Raven Excellence in Teaching Awards during its Spring Commencement Ceremonies earlier this month.
The Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources presented Jade Mitchell, Corey Higley, and Matt Raven Excellence in Teaching Awards during its Spring Commencement Ceremonies earlier this month.
“Educators help their students pursue higher education, explore career opportunities and compete in events they never even dreamt themselves able to.,” said Kelly Millenbah, associate dean of academic and student affairs in CANR. “These awards give us an opportunity to acknowledge these individuvals for their hard work and dedication to their students.”
Mitchell, who was awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching — New Teacher Award, is an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.
Her teaching philosophy consists of multiple pedagogies of engagement, cooperative learning and backwards design: from learning outcomes to course content. Mitchell strives to continuously encourage, motivate and understand her students as people first.
As evidence of demand for her teaching, Mitchell has been invited to develop curriculum and teach three international workshops on quantitative microbial risk assessment, as well as eight other workshops on a variety of subjects.
Mitchell currently has three accepted conference papers at the American Society of Engineering Education where she will present at the upcoming annual conference. She has worked with 11 undergraduates in her lab and has a strong commitment to integrating research with education.
Higley, who was awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award, is a graduate student in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, studying how experiential learning experiences shape environmental attitudes.
Higley has taught several classes, including two field-based experiential Fisheries and Wildlife courses and BioSci 172 labs. In all these courses, Higley brought a depth of knowledge and intense passion which students appreciate and positively respond.
In addition, Higley engaged in the Future Academic Scholars in Teaching and Learning Fellowship program. Through these programs and her own research, Higley distinguished herself as a true scholar of pedagogy.
Raven, who was awarded the Established Teacher Award, is a professor in the MSU Department of Community Sustainability.
Raven serves as faculty coordinator for the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, located in Chatam, Mich., with responsibilities in community food systems. He coordinates the agriculture, food and natural resources pre-service teacher program and assists with the Residential Initiative for studying the environment specialization.
