Primary Instructor 
HORT 282, Foundations of Horticultural Pest Management (1 credit hour, Spring)
HORT 490, Horticulture Internship (3-6 credit hours; Fall, Spring, Summer)
HORT 515, Basic Turfgrass Culture (3 credit hours; Spring) 
HORT 517, Golf Course and Sports Turf Operations (3 credit hours; Starting Fall 2026, then Fall odd yr)
HORT 550, Horticultural Irrigation Systems (3 credit hours; Fall)
HORT 587, Turfgrass Diseases and Their Management (1 credit hour; Fall even yr)
HORT 588, Turfgrass Weeds and Their Management (1 credit hour: Fall even yr)
HORT 589, Turfgrass Insects and Their Management (1 credit hour; Fall even yr)
HORT 706, Advanced Culture of Golf and Sports Turf (3 credit hour; Spring even yr)

Teaching Philosophy 
​My teaching philosophy is a multiple-step approach to truly connect with students and professionals. My teaching philosophy is to be real, reliable, passionate, and relevant in both the classroom with students and out in the field when giving extension presentations. I uphold this teaching philosophy regardless of my audience, whether it is undergraduate students or professionals and practitioners at extension events. This approach helps break down initial barriers and allows the speaker and listener to better relate with one another. 

Real, Reliable, and Passionate. I want my students to recognize I am the real me by sharing the real me, which should help break down initial barriers and make the information I present more relatable to the listener. Teachers expect students to be reliable and trustworthy, so teachers need to be reliable to their students as well through teaching and advising. Teachers must rely on students to be able to comprehend and demonstrate what they are learning, and students must also rely on teachers to present course material effectively to achieve the desired student learning outcomes. This teacher/student interaction is crucial in assessing comprehension of the course material. Furthermore, a good teacher and advisor does not always need to be speaking; listening and hearing what the student, advisee, or group is saying is just as important. This requires asking the right questions and patiently waiting for the answer. Moreover, good listening requires considering and processing what I’ve heard before responding. When my students see me as real and reliable, I believe they will also see that I am passionate about teaching horticulture, especially turfgrass science. I hope I can inspire students to recognize and develop their passion, which will hopefully develop a sincere desire to learn and grow in the field of horticulture. Thus, I have realized horticulture students comprehend the course material when it is presented on a personal (real) and passionate level. Students must be able to rely on the teacher and relate to the course material to use it in the future effectively. 

​Relevant. In the field of horticulture, learning from a textbook and gaining field experience have equal importance, and both should be incorporated together as much as possible. Students need to integrate the knowledge acquired from research-based classroom material with real-world (field and greenhouse) experiences. To build this connection, I share my experiences in the classroom, such as when I applied research-based classroom material out in the field. Furthermore, it is important for students to understand the basic foundations of horticulture, innovative techniques, and the latest relevant research findings. I stay informed on relevant new turfgrass science research, technology, and teaching methods as much as possible so I can incorporate them into the classroom. Some examples would be using alternative delivery methods for course material, utilizing online discussion, letting students take a minute to use cell phones to look up information during discussions, and connecting newly published research with course topics. To be constantly relevant in today’s vastly changing world may not be possible, but teachers must continue to adapt and improve to strengthen their connection with their younger audience. 

Extension - Another Form of Teaching!

​List of invited presentations and courses taught in support of Extension outreach instruction. 
Extension/Outreach (>130) (Estimated audience reach of >16,300 industry professionals)
Event, Presentation, Location, Date (mo/yr), Est. # Attendance
  1. 75th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Plant Growth Regulators – 60 min Manhattan, KS 12/4/25 35
  2. 75th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Student Internship Overview by K-State Students – 60 min Manhattan, KS 12/4/25 55
  3. 75th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Cultivation – 30 min Manhattan, KS 12/3/25 50
  4. 75th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Turfgrass Weeds – 30 min Manhattan, KS 12/3/25 75
  5. 75th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Preemergence Herbicides – 60 min Manhattan, KS 12/3/25 325
  6. HAGCSA Education Conference K-State Turfgrass Research Update - 60 mins Kansas City, KS 11/19/25 68
  7. HAGCSA Education Conference Strategies for Reducing Inputs and Emissions on Golf Courses – 75 min
  8. Kansas City, KS 11/19/25 68
  9. Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Pesticide & Fertilizer Fall Meeting Research at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center Manhattan, KS 9/30/25 22
  10. Zoysiagrass Field Day New Zoysiagrass Research efforts – 10 min West Lafayette, IN 8/19/25 56
  11. Zoysiagrass Field Day Zoysiagrass Cultivar Showcase – 5 min West Lafayette, IN 8/19/25 56
  12. Zoysiagrass Field Day Zoysiagrass Home Lawn Research – 20 min West Lafayette, IN 8/19/25 56
  13. Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Webinar Series Fine Fescue Strategies for Golf Course Management – 60 min Virtual 8/12/25 45
  14. 2025 Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day NTEP Cool-season Turfgrasses – 15 mins Manhattan, KS 8/7/25 200
  15. Blueville Nursery Tee Time The Turfgrass Industry, Benefits, and Best Management Practices Manhattan, KS 7/24/25 35
  16. GCSAA First Green Event – Stagg Hill GC The Importance of Soils and Benefits of Turfgrass Systems Manhattan, KS 6/18/25 28
  17. Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Webinar Series Benefits of Turfgrasses to Humans and How to Talk about Them – 60 min Virtual 4/10/25 65
  18. Iowa Pesticide Applicators Continuing Instruction Course Program Preemergence Herbicides  – 45 min Virtual 2025 program 1,200
  19. New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show Sports Turf: Overseeding, interseeding, and traffic stress management – 60 min
  20. Providence, RI 3/5/25 165
  21. New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show Strategies for reducing inputs and emissions in turfgrass systems – 60 min
  22. Providence, RI 3/4/25 32
  23. New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show Distinguishing fine fescues: A comprehensive guide to proper utilization – 60 min
  24. Providence, RI 3/4/25 140
  25. GCSAA 2025 Conference Strategies for Reducing Inputs and Emissions on Golf Courses – 120 min San Diego, CA 2/3/25 48
  26. GCSAA 2025 Conference Traffic management during suboptimal growing conditions – 120 min San Diego, CA 2/3/25 130
  27. 74th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Braun Lab Research Update on Sod Production and Coated Seed Manhattan, KS 12/4/24 55
  28. 74th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Best cultivar options for warm-season and cool-season turfgrasses in the transition zone Manhattan, KS 12/4/24 115
  29. 74th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Turfgrass Weeds Manhattan, KS 12/4/24 120
  30. 74th Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Cultivation Manhattan, KS 12/4/24 85
  31. October Kansas City Sod Growers Association Meeting K-State Turfgrass
  32. Research Update Overland Park, KS 10/9/24 24
  33. 2024 Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day Does turfgrass seed coating actually help? – 15 mins Manhattan, KS 8/1/24 245
  34. 2024 Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day Tall Fescue and Kentucky bluegrass sod options – 15 mins Manhattan, KS 8/1/24 245
  35. GCSAA 2024 Conference Herbicide Tolerance of 11 Grass Species for Minimal-to-no Mow Golf Course Rough Areas Phoenix, AZ 1/24 189
  36. GCSAA 2024 Conference Distinguishing Fine Fescues:  A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Utilization Phoenix, AZ 1/24 58
  37. GCSAA 2024 Conference Managing Perennial Ryegrass Seedheads to Improve Turf Quality Phoenix, AZ 1/24 127
  38. 73rd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Customized agronomic programs for better turf results Manhattan, KS 11/30/23 125
  39. 73rd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Turf traffic management during suboptimal growing conditions Manhattan, KS 11/29/23 135
  40. 73rd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Cultivation Manhattan, KS 11/29/23 45
  41. 73rd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Mowing Basics Manhattan, KS 11/29/23 65
  42. 2023 Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day Fine Fescue and Tall Fescue NTEP Trials – 15 mins Olathe, KS 8/3/23 240
  43. K-State Garden Hour Drought Tolerant Lawns Of Kansas - Warm Season Turfgrasses – 60 mins Virtual 6/7/23 352
  44. Nebraska Turf Conference Seeding tips for turf areas – 60 Min La Vista, NE 1/5/23 185
  45. Nebraska Turf Conference Managing minimum to no-mow areas of the golf course – 60 mins La Vista, NE 1/5/23 125
  46. Nebraska Turf Conference Busting weed control myths – 60 mins La Vista, NE 1/4/23 175
  47. 72nd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Managing minimum to no-mow turf areas on the golf course and landscape Manhattan, KS 12/1/22 75
  48. 72nd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference New Zoysia Update Manhattan, KS 12/1/22 60
  49. 72nd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Cultivation Manhattan, KS 11/30/22 65
  50. 72nd Annual Kansas Turf and Landscape Conference Mowing Basics Manhattan, KS 11/30/22 55
  51. Washington Turf and Landscape Show Managing minimum to no-mow areas of the golf course – 50 mins Virtual 12/22 85
  52. Washington Turf and Landscape Show Busting weed control myths – 60 mins Virtual 12/22 75
  53. 2022 Kansas Turf & Ornamentals Field Day New zoysiagrass cultivar finds its way out! – 15 min Haysville, KS 8/4/22 230
  54. Iowa Pesticide Applicators Continuing Instruction Course Program Busting weed control myths – 45 min Virtual 2022 program 2,280
  55. Indiana Green Expo Online Using fine fescues successfully in Indiana – 60 min Virtual 4/22 50
  56. Indiana Green Expo Online Update: sod production research at Purdue – 60 min Virtual 4/22 10
  57. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 3/1/22 70
  58. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 3/1/22 70
  59. Indiana Green Expo Using fine fescues successfully in Indiana – 60 min Indianapolis, IN 1/22 95
  60. Indiana Green Expo Sod production research at Purdue – 60 min Indianapolis, IN 1/22 12
  61. Indiana Green Expo Workshop E: turf math: Making the complicated seem simple – 4 hours Indianapolis, IN 1/22 28
  62. Northern Green Expo Seeding tips for turf areas – 30 min Minneapolis, MN 1/12/22 72
  63. Northern Green Expo Practical Applications for low maintenance turf – 1 hr Minneapolis, MN 1/11/22 40
  64. Pest Management and Lawn Maintenance:
  65. Online Workshop for Lawncare Professionals How turfgrass grows: The basics of turf maintenance – 1 hr  45 min Virtual 10/21 12
  66. 2021 Turf and Landscape Seminar Seeding tips for home lawns and sports fields – 45 min Virtual 11/21 75
  67. 2021 Turf and Landscape Seminar Turf traffic management during suboptimal growing conditions – 1 hr Virtual 11/21 75
  68. Indiana Professional Lawn & Landscape Association Busting weed control myths – 1 hr Danville, IN 08/21 75
  69. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Managing perennial ryegrass seedheads to improve turf quality – 15 min West Lafayette, IN 7/21 250
  70. Pest Management and Lawn Maintenance:
  71. Online Workshop for Lawncare Professionals How turfgrass grows: The basics of turf maintenance – 1 hr  45 min West Lafayette, IN 6/21 32
  72. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 3/4/21 30
  73. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 3/4/21 30
  74. Michigan Green Industry Association 34th Annual Trade Show & Convention Helpful advice for identifying turfgrasses  - 1 hr Virtual 3/21 88
  75. Michigan Green Industry Association 34th Annual Trade Show & Convention Preemergence herbicides to use when seed goes down – 1 hr Virtual 3/21 65
  76. Michigan Green Industry Association 34th Annual Trade Show & Convention Busting weed control myths – 1 hr Virtual 3/21 60
  77. Turf Producers International 2021 Virtual Series Fine fescue sod production Virtual 2/21 50
  78. Indiana Green Expo Seeding tips for sports fields – 50 min Virtual 1/21 50
  79. Indiana Green Expo Busting weed control myths – 35 min Virtual 1/21 75
  80. Pest Management and Lawn Maintenance:
  81. Online Workshop for Lawncare Professionals How Turfgrass Grows: The Basics of Turf Maintenance – 1 hr  45 min Virtual 12/20 37
  82. 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Busting weed control myths – 30 min Virtual 12/20 205
  83. 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Developing a weed control program – 60 min Virtual 12/20 230
  84. 70th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Preemergence herbicides you can use when seed goes down – 30 min Virtual 12/20 225
  85. 2020 Virtual Herbicide Workshop Busting weed control myths – 35 min Virtual 11/20-12/20 75
  86. 2020 Turf and Landscape Seminar Busting weed control myths – 35 min Virtual 11/20 140
  87. 2020 Turf and Landscape Seminar Managing minimal-to-no mow areas on the golf course – 30 min Virtual 11/20 140
  88. Pest Management and Lawn Maintenance:
  89. A Workshop for Lawncare Professionals How Turfgrass Grows: The Basics of Turf Maintenance – 1 hr  45 min West Lafayette, IN 10/20 30
  90. Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Turf Education Day Busting weed control myths – 45 min Virtual 8/20 175
  91. Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Turf Education Day What are fine fescues and how can you use them? – 55 min Virtua 8/20 175
  92. Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Webinar Series Steps for successful fine fescue establishment – 65 min Virtual 8/20 110
  93. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Zoysiagrasses for the Midwest: Research updates – 15 min Virtual 7/20 400
  94. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Fine fescue establishment and management: Research updates – 15 min Virtual 7/20 400
  95. Pest Management and Lawn Maintenance:
  96. Online Workshop for Lawncare Professionals How Turfgrass Grows: The Basics of Turf Maintenance – 1 hr  45 min Virtual 6/20 45
  97. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/26/20 55
  98. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/26/20 55
  99. Indiana Green Expo Steps for successful fine fescue establishment – 45 min Indianapolis, IN 2/13/20 57
  100. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/4/20 45
  101. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/4/20 45
  102. 2019 Turf and Landscape Seminar The art of knowing your turfgrass seed label, and identification, calculation, and establishment tips – 75 min West Lafayette, IN 11/19 60
  103. 2019 HLA Fall Seminar Environmental and management impacts in turfgrass systems: nitrous oxide emissions and carbon sequestration – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 10/19 40
  104. 2019 Lawn Care Diagnostic Training Helpful advice for identifying turfgrasses – 90 min West Lafayette, IN 7/19 48
  105. 2019 Lawn Care Diagnostic Training Low-input options for grassing Indiana lawns – 25 min West Lafayette, IN 7/19 48
  106. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Zoysiagrass for Roughs in Indiana? Low Maintenance Options – 15 min West Lafayette, IN 7/19 40
  107. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Performance of Low Input Grasses – 15 min West Lafayette, IN 7/19 40
  108. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Fixing Dead Spots: The Number One Reason Homeowners Fire Their Lawn Care Company – 15 min West Lafayette, IN 7/19 450
  109. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/20/19 45
  110. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/20/19 45
  111. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Management of turf weeds – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/13/19 55
  112. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/13/19 55
  113. Professional Landscape Management School Enhancing winter aesthetics of warm season turf – 60 min Evansville, IN 2//1/19 30
  114. Indiana Green Expo Using pigments and colorants on dormant warm season turf – 60 min Indianapolis, IN 1/19 25
  115. Indiana Green Expo Consumer preferences in lawn – 45 min Indianapolis, IN 1/19 45
  116. 2018 Turf and Landscape Seminar Customized agronomic programs for better turf results – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 11/18 50
  117. 2018 Lawn Care Diagnostic Training What are fine fescues and how can you use them? – 45 min West Lafayette, IN 7/18 60
  118. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Weed ID and control tour – 20 min West Lafayette, IN 7/18 125
  119. MRTF Turf and Landscape Field Day Where does all the nitrogen go after application? – 15 min West Lafayette, IN 7/18 500
  120. Commercial Pesticide Applicator Category 3b Training Turf cultural practices – 60 min West Lafayette, IN 2/18 65
  121. KSRE Commercial Pesticide 
  122. Applicator Recertification Training Weed Management and Identification in Turfgrass – 50 min Wichita, KS 11/17 125
  123. KSRE Commercial Pesticide 
  124. Applicator Recertification Training Disease Management and Identification in Turfgrass – 50 min Wichita, KS 11/17 125
  125. 66th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Environmental stewardship: Can smarter fertilizer and irrigation practices reduce greenhouse gas emissions? – 50 min Topeka, KS 12/16 40
  126. 66th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference “No carts today”- The effects of traffic on drought-stressed turfgrasses – 50 min Topeka, KS 12/16 65
  127. Kansas Turfgrass Field Day Carts during drought - How does the turf respond? – 15 min Manhattan, KS 8/16 265
  128. 65th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Fertilization basics – 30 min Topeka, KS 12/15 65
  129. 65th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Water use management – 50 min Topeka, KS 12/15 60
  130. Kansas Turfgrass Field Day Managing turfgrass under stress – 15 min Olathe, KS 8/15 235
  131. Kansas Water Symposium Waterwise solutions with warm season grass turf – 60 min Hesston, KS 3/15 40
  132. 64th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Colorants for warm-season grasses – 50 min Topeka, KS 12/14 75
  133. 64th Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Mowing basics – 30 min Topeka, KS 12/14 55
  134. Kansas Turfgrass Field Day Using colorant and paints – 15 min Manhattan, KS 8/14 270
  135. 63rd Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Managing turfgrass in HD: Paints, pigments, and more – 45 min Topeka, KS 12/13 45
  136. 63rd Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Basics of mowing turfgrass – 30 min Topeka, KS 12/13 65
  137. 63rd Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Fertilization basics – 30 min Topeka, KS 12/13 65
  138. Kansas Turfgrass Field Day Painting dormant warm-season grasses green – 15 min Haysville, KS 8/13 230
  139. 62nd Annual Kansas Turfgrass Conference Mowing basics – 30 min Topeka, KS 12/12 60
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