Professor Brandy Phipps, Ph.D., wins National Excellence in Agricultural Teaching Award
Above (l-r): Sakthi Kumaran, Ph.D., Brandy E. Phipps, Ph.D., Morakinyo Kuti, Ph.D., and Arunasalam Rahunanthan, Ph.D., at an awards ceremony recognizing Phipps for being honored with an Best Early-Career Teacher Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute for Food and Agriculture.
Teaching is one of the world’s noblest professions, and Central State University (CSU) Associate Professor Brandy Phipps, Ph.D., takes her job very seriously, selflessly pouring into the students every day. She was recently awarded a national Excellence in Teaching Award affirming this steadfastness.
On Nov. 13, Phipps was among eight public university faculty from around the country honored by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for their work educating students.
According to the APLU, the USDA National Awards for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences, sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the APLU, generates nominations from departments in agriculture, natural resources, veterinary science, and human sciences across the country. In addition to six regional awards, a selection committee of nationally recognized teachers and scholars chooses two national recipients and two early career awards.
The nominees are evaluated based on their ability as classroom teachers, use of innovative teaching methodology, service to students and their profession, and scholarship.
Phipps, who was awarded Best Early-Career Teacher, became a tenured associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Central State in 2023. Since her arrival at CSU in 2019, she has led or co-led $11 million in research grant funding to Central State, all of which include experiential learning opportunities for students through their participation in research and community engagement activities.
One notable project receiving national attention is the hemp-based integrated project known as SUSHI (Sustainable Use of Safe Hemp Ingredients) in partnership with five other institutions across the country. The SUSHI project is investigating the use of hemp grain as a feed ingredient in aquaculture.
In addition, the project is partnered with the College of Menominee Nation — providing agricultural workforce training, scholarships, and start-up business funding for indigenous individuals who want to enter the aquaponics sector.
“We applaud the 2023 winners of the Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences,” said Wendy Fink, Executive Director of the Academic Programs Section at the APLU.
“Through their dedicated and focused passion in mentoring and instruction, they serve as inspirational leaders for their students and other faculty striving to serve their students better.”
Dr. Phipps earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Florida and her Master of Science and doctoral degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her teaching focus is cultivating both belonging and self-reliance while helping students grow into innovative problem-solvers, critically thinking and interculturally humble global citizens, and lifelong learners who will challenge and transform harmful systems and structures.
“The purpose of education is to help students become transformative agents of positive change,” Dr. Phipps said.
“I believe that innovative thinking and a willingness to ask questions, take chances, make mistakes, and challenge the status quo are what is desperately needed to address the complex problems facing our world.”
In her role, Phipps helps students develop these traits, building a community-based and challenging, collaborative environment for students in the classroom and through research and other experiential learning.
“This requires forming bridges between nutrition and food systems research, course material, and real-world applications, connecting students’ lived experiences and future job endeavors, and cultivating a sense of belonging for students in the classroom and profession,” she added.
Sakthi S. Kumaran, Ph.D., interim associate director of the Agricultural Research Development Program (ARDP) and research associate professor at Central State University, believes this award is a true testament to Phipps’s unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and her passion to make a positive impact in society by addressing multifaceted societal concerns through purposeful education.
“Although she is receiving this award as an early-career educator herself, as a colleague I take immense pleasure in knowing that she is already invested in mentoring her peers to reach their fullest potential. That speaks volumes about her deep desire to see everyone succeed for the common good of society,” he added.
Vice President of Research and Economic Development and Director of the Land-Grant program Morakinyo Kuti, Ph.D., stated this is a great honor both for Phipps and the University, as receiving this award shines a spotlight on the innovative research and teaching taking place at Central State.
“Dr. Phipps has made amazing strides and has set a blazing path. She is a model for our students, and we are honored to have her as a professor and researcher at CSU," Kuti said.
“Congratulations to Dr. Phipps on her well-deserved teaching award,” added Dr. Arunasalam Rahunanthan, interim dean of the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (JWGCESTA.) “Her commitment to excellence in teaching is an inspiration to us all. Her passion for teaching truly shines. I am proud to have such a dedicated faculty member in the College.”
“I am so grateful to have received this award, as I am an educator to my core,” said Dr. Phipps. “I love to learn, and I love providing opportunities and an environment where others can become life-long learners as well. So, to be recognized by the review panel of distinguished educators, the APLU, USDA-NIFA, and the amazing leaders who were present for the ceremony for this work is incredibly humbling.”
To learn more about the APLU and UDSA-NIFA Excellence in Teaching Awards, visit aplu.org and nifa.usda.gov.
