National Graduate Student Teaching Award Presented to ASTE’S Michelle Burrows

animals. My family has owned a ranch in Nevada since the 1870s, and I’m from the sixth generation, so animals have always been a big part of who I am. More importantly, I live in a very rural community where the closest medical help for people or animals is at least an hour and a half away, so I also have a desire to help underserved communities in rural areas and improve the health of humans and animals alike.”

Michael Bishop, director of student and academic affairs for USU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, notes that while the program has expanded to include new areas of veterinary knowledge as well as subjects like communication, conflict resolution and financial and business management, the students’ talent continues to drive the program.

“They’re an amazing group of people to work with, and it is interesting and satisfying to be a part of this phase of their professional journey,” Bishop said. “It’s a transformational experience that affects them not only on an intellectual level, but emotionally, socially, professionally, spiritually, and even physically.”

While competition to get into the limited number of veterinary programs in the U.S. is fierce, Utah State emphasizes cooperation and collaboration once the students arrive in Logan. Orientation activities ranging from icebreakers and a ropes course experience to exercises that identify personal strengths all help the incoming class bond before the school year begins in earnest.

“Everybody keeps mentioning how this is going to be such a family,” said Haws during a networking dinner for students and faculty. “I think that’s going to be true. We’ll have genuine camaraderie between us and grow as a cohesive unit and succeed. And I think that’ll be really cool.” �

By Madison Leak

Michelle Burrows, a recent Ph.D. graduate of the Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education, was named a recipient of the North American College and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Graduate Student Teaching Award. Burrows was honored to receive the award that recognizes her passion for teaching.

“I work hard to gain a variety of experiences to provide my students with the best educational experience I can, and it’s nice to be recognized for that,” Burrows said. “Humbling, actually.”

The NACTA Graduate Student teaching award recognizes individuals who represent the very best in agriculture-related higher education. USU’s agricultural education degree program prepares students to become teachers in secondary schools and community organizations in a range of areas, including plant, animal, and natural resource sciences, agribusiness, agricultural mechanization, and agricultural economics.

“My biggest motivation is my students,” Burrows said. “I want to provide them with the best possible learning experience I can. I want them to enjoy their classes and appreciate the work both on my end and theirs that goes into the learning process.” As a high school agriculture teacher in Nevada, Burrows attended a conference in Utah where she met USU faculty members Tyson Sorensen and Becki Lawver, who introduced her to the new Ph.D. program in the ASTE department. Burrows always knew that pursuing a Ph.D. was something she wanted to do. As a first-generation college student, education is very important to her, and she credits Sorensen, Professor Debra Spielmaker, and Lecturer Kenna Kesler for their willingness to offer advice and collaborate with her. She values their influence on her teaching.

“My experience at USU has been so much more than earning a degree,” Burrows said. “I was also able to gain experience in teaching undergraduate classes, supervising student teachers, mentoring undergraduate researchers, and helping fellow graduate students.” �

Learn more about USU’s career and technical education Ph.D. program at ASTE.USU.edu/degrees/CTEPhD