Excellence in the classroom begins with a commitment to student success. Only a few years into her career, Christine Booth, lecturer in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, was recognized with the Holling Family Early Achievement Faculty Award at the 2026 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CASNR) awards luncheon on May 1, 2026, at the Nebraska East Union. She received a $3,000 award and recognition for exceptional teaching by an early career faculty member.
Booth’s research and teaching interests are based in teaching and learning of synthesis writing, professional development, interdisciplinary writing and learning, curriculum development and assessment, and evidence-based teaching and learning. She says that supporting students as they grow and succeed brings her a deep sense of fulfillment and professional satisfaction.
“I’m drawn to student development because I’ve experienced times in my career where I’ve been stuck,” Booth said. “I’m fortunate to have had teachers and mentors who helped me move forward. Being able to offer that same support and navigation is incredibly meaningful to me. I am deeply appreciative to be recognized for this work.”
Commitment to student success
The teaching focal point for Booth’s award was Scientific Writing and Communication – the only interdisciplinary, graduate manuscript writing course within CASNR. By the end of the course, students can clearly and effectively communicate their scientific findings to a broad readership.
Aaron Lee M. Daigh, Associate Professor of Vadose Zone Science for Water Quality, has co-led a writing-intensive undergraduate course with Booth in the past. He sees Booth as an exceptional educator and a high-caliber professional whose dedication and vision are evident across each dimension of her instruction, most visibly Scientific Writing and Communication.
“Over the past five years, students in [Scientific Writing and Communication] have consistently reported confidence increases of 20 to 30 percent,” Daigh said. “At least one student completed his degree program a full year ahead of schedule and contributed that to Dr. Booth’s course.”
Andrea Basche, associate professor in cropping systems, was a pivotal figure in Booth’s nomination process for the award, stating that the impact she has on students who have never written a manuscript is immeasurable.
“Two of my advisees have already published papers because of the efforts and learnings invested in [Scientific Writing and Communication],” Basche said. “Some of my own mentees who were enrolled in her class say that she’s rigorous in her feedback, coaching each student to tell an effective scientific story. It’s hard to find a more deserving candidate of this award.”
Leila Setayesh, a fifth-year PhD student in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, took the course during the spring 2024 semester and confirms that it was an integral part of her graduate training. This was the turning point in her ability to create a manuscript from start to finish.
“I significantly strengthened my writing skills and developed a manuscript that reflected a high level of clarity and organization,” Setayesh said. “Dr. Booth not only refined my writing skills but also helped me better understand the structure, strategy, and purpose behind effective scientific communication.”
From knowledge to impact
Scientific Writing and Communication isn’t the only place Booth mentors her students. As the leader of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Science Communication Hub, she helps graduate students advance their writing skills through workshops, tutoring and consultation. Most recently, she championed the creation of the IANR Writing Fellows program, where advanced graduate students are equipped with mentorship skills in writing development and practical preparation for faculty careers and senior professional roles beyond academia.
Booth’s dedication extends beyond regular classroom hours and into the additional writing sessions she offers her students to refine their skills and receive feedback in a supportive and collaborative environment. Students appreciate that she matches her generosity, support and encouragement through their academic career and personal and professional development.
“Thank you to the Holling family for their enduring legacy of giving,” Booth said. “I will continue to carry that forward in my teaching.”
The Holling Family Award Program for Teaching Excellence was made possible by a gift from the Holling family to honor their pioneer parents; John Holling was a 1912 electrical engineering graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his brother, Gustav Holling, attended the College of Agriculture before farming their family’s land in the Wood River Area of Nebraska.
