“With students...it is about the relationship of listening, encouraging, challenging, and respecting the student’s voice....My goal is to embed cognitive-based knowledge within their personal ‘knowing’ through experiential learning. This can be challenging, but by the end, students are capable of doing more than they imagine.”

Kristen Nelson is one of those few individuals with clear and innovative vision,” says a colleague. “And she is willing to put in the work needed to turn a vision into reality.”

Students and faculty alike agree that some of the current highlights of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences’ (CFANS) curriculum, such as the successful Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM) major, would not be available were it not for Professor Nelson’s dedication to improving the student experience.

Her devotion goes well beyond developing CFANS undergraduate programs. She also excels at teaching, advising, research, and public engagement. A fellow faculty member describes her by saying, “Kristen has always been a colleague I could count on.” Students who seek her advice describe her approachable demeanor and how she encourages them to push themselves in ways they thought not possible.

“Professor Nelson pointed me in the right direction but let me learn on my own. To this day, she provides me with support, even though I have long since graduated from the University.”

This sort of heightened commitment is a hallmark of Professor Nelson’s character. As one student says, “She shapes the future leaders of the environmental field. Through lectures and practical applications, she encourages her students to strive for excellence.”

Visit the Kristen C. Nelson faculty Web page here.