Thomas H. Paulsen, associate professor and chair of the applied agricultural and food studies program, received a national educator award recently at the Annual Conference of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.

Thomas H. Paulsen, associate professor and chair of the applied agricultural and food studies program at Morningside College, received a national educator award recently at the Annual Conference of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.

Over the past eight years at Iowa State University, Paulsen served as the professor-in-charge of the capstone student-managed Ag 450 Farm and coordinator of the Agricultural Teacher Education Program, where he mentored over 140 preservice teacher candidates into high school agricultural education teachers.

On July 1, Paulsen assumed his new role at Morningside College as chair of the Regina Roth Applied Agricultural and Food Studies Program.

“I believe Morningside College is well positioned to become an educational leader in the training of agriculturalists at the state, regional, national and international levels,” Paulsen said. “I am excited to work with faculty to provide for students a well-rounded, liberal arts education that integrates real-world experiences and quality coursework in agriculture and that will provide program graduates with a broad view of the world in which they will live and work.”

The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is a professional society focused on promoting, recognizing and rewarding excellence in teaching agriculture and related areas at the postsecondary level. Members of NACTA are from two-year and four-year colleges, public and private, and have a common bond of teaching agriculture and related subjects. Through the use of competitive awards, NACTA annually recognizes outstanding teaching and publication.

Paulsen has a doctorate in agricultural education from Iowa State University.