Mae Smith

2024 Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Award

The Range Science Education Council (RSEC) and the Society for Range Management (SRM) proudly present the 2024 Early Career Teaching Award to Mae Smith, Director of the Agriculture Program and Instructor of Rangeland Management at Sheridan College. The Early Career Teaching Award recognizes individuals in the early stages of their careers who demonstrate excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students.

Her colleagues emphasize that Mae Smith is “nothing if not enthusiastic about teaching young people about rangelands” and that her enthusiasm and commitment extend “far beyond her formal course offerings”. Not only does Mae teach Rangeland Ecosystems, Principles of Range Management, Range & Pasture Monitoring, Range Plant Taxonomy, and an experiential learning course called Capstone in Range Management, but she has also significantly revised and improved these offerings during her tenure at Sheridan College. One colleague, who works at a different institution stated, “I will not hesitate to tell you that if any of my four kids were old enough to enter into a collegiate range program today, I would steer them toward Mae Smith at Sheridan College.”

Students emphasize how Mae goes “above and beyond” to help them take advantage of opportunities to further their education and careers. Her support for students and dedication to their education is described as “never-ending” and “exceptional”.

Students regularly express tremendous appreciation for Mae Smith’s exceptional teaching and mentoring. The following student quotes consistently highlight the high levels of knowledge, passion, enthusiasm and commitment that guide Mae Smith’s teaching.

“I was unsure what I wanted to pursue until I took Mae’s Principles of Rangeland Management class. I had no prior knowledge of the subject, but because of Mae’s passion for teaching, enthusiasm for the subject, and impressive plant ID skills, I instantly became a Rangeland Management major.”

“Because of Mae’s care and passion for each and every student, we had the opportunity to attend state and national SRM conferences…and even now that I am a virtual student at another university, Mae still supports my educational goals by twisting arms so that I can attend these conferences.”

“Without Mae’s never-ending support and exceptional dedication to her student’s education I would not be where I am today, and countless others could say the same thing.”

In addition to Mae’s impressive teaching record, she advises and has expanded student participation in the Range Club and mentors or coaches several very competitive student teams. Mae Smith’s teaching accomplishments and other professional contributions reflect the level of excellence expected by her profession.

Thus, for her outstanding contributions in the classroom and beyond, the Range Science Education Council and Society for Range Management are delighted to recognize Mae Smith with the 2024 Early Career Teaching Award.