Contact: Chloe Madison

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Two Mississippi State University faculty members in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are in the spotlight for excellence in teaching with awards from a national agricultural education organization.

The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture is honoring Aswathy Rai, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, with the NACTA Educator Award, and O.P. McCubbins, associate professor in the School of Human Sciences, with the Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology Award.

Rai said she was grateful for the acknowledgment, which reinforces her commitment to excellence in education.

“This award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of my colleagues and the continuous support from the college administration and the Center for Teaching and Learning at MSU, which enables me to innovate and enhance the learning experience for my students,” she said. “It also reflects my students' hard work and enthusiasm, which motivates me to be a better educator every day.”

McCubbins said innovation and effectiveness in the use of technology in agricultural instruction are concepts that drive his teaching methods.

“Over the years, I have integrated cutting-edge technology into my courses that includes the use of immersive technology like augmented and virtual reality, simulations, a plethora of digital collaboration tools and, more recently, generative artificial intelligence tools,” McCubbins said. “I place an emphasis on helping shift students from consumers of content to creators of content. My commitment to continuous improvement and staying informed of technological advancements has also been crucial in ensuring that my teaching methods remain current and impactful.”

Darrell Sparks, CALS associate dean, acknowledged Rai and McCubbins as exceptional candidates for their respective awards.  

“With NACTA being a premier organization for educators in agricultural-focused disciplines, MSU having multiple award recipients from this society highlights the excellence in instruction that our faculty provide to students,” Sparks said. “From course creation including two study abroad programs to maintaining the department’s accreditation with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dr. Rai is a proven leader. Likewise, Dr. McCubbins is an innovator whose mentorship is highly sought after both by faculty at MSU as well as educators across the U.S.”

For more on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit www.cals.msstate.edu. Find the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, online at www.biochemistry.msstate.edu and the School of Human Sciences at  www.humansci.msstate.edu.

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