Excellence in Education Award

Nominations for 2025 IA awards are closed. The 2025 recipients will be announced on July 31.

The Irrigation Association Excellence in Education Award recognizes a person who is actively teaching or has formerly taught irrigation, water management and/or water conservation in affiliation with a two- or four-year institution or the equivalent. This person helps supply the irrigation industry with educated professionals who provide efficient irrigation solutions that protect water and the environment. Nominees should be members of the Irrigation Association.

Award Winners

2025

Derek Heeren, PhD, PE
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Derek Heeren has advanced irrigation education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln through curriculum development, textbook authorship and student mentorship. He’s led new graduate and undergraduate pathways, including an online certificate program expanding access to irrigation education. He served as general editor of Irrigation Systems Management and developed the Irrigation Educator GPT. He’s mentored 20+ undergrads and 20 grad students, volunteered with the IA and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and now serves as associate head for academic programs at UNL and education coordinator for the Water for Food Institute.

2024

Dave Goorahoo, PhD
California State University, Fresno

Dave Goorahoo has been with California State University, Fresno for 24 years and is currently a vegetable crops production professor in the department of plant science. He has developed and taught many irrigation-related courses, developed irrigation training materials and programs, and incorporated strategies to raise awareness of irrigation career opportunities for his students. Read more about Dave Goorahoo’s 24-year journey in irrigation education and his vision for the future of the industry.

2023

Aavudai Anandhi, PhD – Florida A&M University

2023

Robert Dobson, CIC, CID, CLIA – Rutgers University

2022

Charlie Abee, CAIS – College of the Sequoias

2022

Bradley Jakubowski – Penn State University

2021

Florence Cassel Sharma, PhD – California State University-Fresno and Center for Irrigation Technology

2020

Isaya Kisekka, PhD – University of California, Davis

2019

Marcus Duck – Michigan State University

2018

Franklin Gaudi, EdD, CCA CID, CIC, CAIS – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

2017

Claire Ehrlinger, CIT, LEED Green Associate, QWEL-certified educator – MiraCosta College

2016

Ronald Sneed, PhD, PE, CAIS, CIC, CID, CLIA – North Carolina State University

2015

Lou Anella, PhD – Oklahoma State University

2014

Michael Dukes, PhD – University of Florida

2013

Cathie Lavis, PhD – Kansas State University

2012

Greg Farrens — Walla Walla Community College