Christen Burgett, associate teaching professor in animal science, is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Service in Student Recruitment and Retention Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. She has made significant contributions to the education and lives of her students through formal and informal advising coupled with effective, innovative and impactful teaching methods. A colleague states, “The culmination is successful, inspired Iowa State alumni who are truly our greatest recruiters.”
Burgett’s recruitment efforts include department and college student visits, orientation and Experience Iowa State. Her off campus recruitment accomplishments through state, regional and national youth programs parallel and compliment her on-campus efforts. She has been a leader in many of Iowa’s dairy related youth programs, including the Iowa State Fair Dairy Judging Contest, the State Dairy Quiz Bowl and Animal Science Round-Up. She has also been involved in county fairs as a judge and mentor to 4-H and FFA youth. Her retention achievements combine advising with extensive teaching interactions through career preparation courses. She coordinates the internship program, advises the Dairy Science Club and coaches the dairy judging team.