Derek Heeren, PhD, PE, named recipient of IA 2025 Excellence in Education Award
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (August 5, 2025) — The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that Derek Heeren, PhD, PE, of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes an outstanding educator who teaches irrigation, water management and/or water conservation and has a commitment to not only elevating the level of education but also promoting the field of irrigation as a viable and sustainable career to students.
Derek Heeren has made a lasting impact on irrigation education through his leadership in curriculum development, textbook authorship and commitment to student success. At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he has taught irrigation-related courses and led the creation of new graduate and undergraduate pathways in irrigation and agricultural water management, including an online certificate program that expands access to irrigation education beyond campus. Heeren also served as general editor of Irrigation Systems Management, a widely used open-access textbook published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and developed a companion Instructor Kit. Heeren also led the development of the Irrigation Educator GPT— a smart assistant, available in 58+ languages, to help students, producers and ag professionals make better irrigation decisions.
“Derek Heeren’s dedication to irrigation education has opened doors for students and professionals alike,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “Through innovative program development, mentorship and resource creation, he has helped elevate the quality and accessibility of irrigation education and creates pathways for our industry’s future innovators and thought leaders. His passion for preparing the next generation is an inspiration to the entire industry.”
Through hands-on mentoring and active student engagement, Heeren has helped shape the next generation of irrigation professionals. He has mentored over 20 undergraduates in research roles and has advised or co-advised 20 graduate students from nine countries who were nearly all working on irrigation-related projects. Outside the university, Heeren has played an active role in both the IA and ASABE, contributing to technical committees, standards development, presenting at past Faculty Academies and writing educational articles. He now serves as associate head for academic programs at UNL and as education coordinator for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the Irrigation Association’s Excellence in Education Award,” said Heeren. “My work focuses on equipping students with real-world skills in irrigation, while building programs that serve both industry and international development. I’m especially grateful to the many students, colleagues, and partners whose collaboration and passion for water stewardship make this work both meaningful and impactful.”
The 2025 IA Award recipients will be honored at the 2025 Irrigation Show and Education Week in New Orleans, Dec. 8-11. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at irrigation.org/awards.