Mellissa Crosswhite does not measure success by course evaluations or titles. She measures success in curiosity — the moment a student asks a question, pauses and a difficult concept clicks.

The drive to foster curiosity recently earned Crosswhite, animal science assistant professor at Oklahoma State University in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, national recognition as a recipient of the USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching Award for Food and Agricultural Sciences in the Teaching and Student Engagement category.

This national award is presented annually to two faculty members nationwide who teach in the field of food and agricultural sciences.

“It’s super competitive,” said Richard Coffey, professor and head of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “Any university across the U.S. can nominate people for it, so you’re really in competition with all your peers.”

Recipients who are selected are considered to be the “cream of the crop,” he added.

National recognition reflects Crosswhite’s dedication and the department’s broader culture of excellence, Coffey said.

“It’s one thing for us to say we think we have really good instructors,” Coffey said. “It’s another to say these are nationally recognized instructors.”

When students attend OSU, they are being taught by the best, he added.

In the Ferguson College of Agriculture, 16 faculty members have earned a total of 17 national awards across all categories, said Cynda Clary, Ferguson College of Agriculture associate dean.

Faculty in departments collegewide have received the recognition, which is an indication of OSU’s long-standing commitment to great teaching, Clary said.

“I feel very fortunate to have the quality of faculty we have in this college,” Clary said, adding Crosswhite “is definitely there at the top.”

Crosswhite said academia was not originally part of her plan. Growing up in a family that raised commercial cattle in Florida, Crosswhite once envisioned a career in veterinary medicine, she said.

Her direction shifted during graduate school at North Dakota State University, Crosswhite added.

“As a graduate teaching assistant, I had the opportunity to work closely with students, helping them understand complex material and develop as emerging scientists,” Crosswhite said.  “I found that experience rewarding.”

As graduate school at NDSU came to a close, Crosswhite knew she wanted a role centered on teaching youth, she said.

An opportunity opened in OSU’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and in December 2016, she became a faculty member.

Crosswhite teaches upper-level animal science courses that many students consider demanding, she said.

“I strive to make complex material approachable and digestible by using analogies and real-world examples that help students connect concepts to practical situations,” Crosswhite said.

Crosswhite intentionally breaks down difficult ideas and shares the strategies and perspectives that helped her develop an appreciation for the subject, she added.

Crosswhite’s approach made an immediate impact, said Reese Bassano, administrative assistant to Crosswhite and one of her former students.

“When I took Dr. Crosswhite’s form and function course, I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to see what we learned about in lecture come to life in the lab,” Bassano said.

This immersive experience changed the way Crosswhite approached learning and is what ultimately sets her teaching style apart, she added.

“It is easy to go to class and memorize content well enough to make a good grade,” Bassano said, “but it is another thing completely to fully immerse yourself in content in a way that allows you to understand and reciprocate the material you are learning.”

Crosswhite’s approach sets her apart from other faculty members, Coffey said.

“She recognizes that not every student learns the same exact way,” Coffey added.

Some students prefer traditional lecture formats, Coffey said, while others respond better to visual or hands-on learning.

Crosswhite incorporates a variety of visual tools and interactive methods into her instruction to facilitate active, engaging hands-on learning experiences, he added.

Her commitment to improvement is ongoing, Coffey added.

“I continually push myself to refine and strengthen each course so it’s better than the last,” Crosswhite said.

However, teaching students in a classroom is not the only way Crosswhite makes an impact.

Crosswhite advises and mentors students across multiple organizations within the Ferguson College of Agriculture, including Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority, Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and Leaders of Excellence in Animal and Food Sciences, she said.

Crosswhite’s leadership helped shape Sigma Alpha into an organization focused on fellowship, professional development and connection, Clary said.

“Advising and mentoring students outside the classroom allows me to see them as whole individuals, not just learners in a course,” Crosswhite said. “Understanding their goals, challenges and career aspirations helps me better connect course material to real-world applications and professional development aspects.”

This mentorship reaches far beyond academics, Bassano said.

“Dr. Crosswhite can be in the middle of an extremely busy week of teaching class, grading assignments, attending meetings, and if a student comes in the office and asks if she has a few minutes to chat, she is always willing to stop what she is doing to be present with that student,” Bassano added.

Crosswhite’s investment in students is more than just coursework, Coffey said.

“She sincerely cares about students,” Coffey said. “She’s willing to invest whatever time and energy is needed to help them be successful.”

One full-circle moment in particular reaffirmed her calling and passion to teach, Crosswhite said.

“The first time one of my students was accepted into veterinary school was especially meaningful,” Crosswhite said. “She started as my advisee and was in my first OSU course, Form and Function of Livestock and Poultry, and later became my teaching assistant.”

Crosswhite truly embodies the department’s expectations for faculty, Coffey said.

“She fits right into that mold,” Coffey said. “We want people who are excellent in the classroom. We want people who care about students, who really want to make sure that

they’re successful when they leave here, at OSU.”

The award is recognition, but not the end goal, Crosswhite said.

“Meaningful student engagement looks like active participation, genuine curiosity and a willingness to think critically beyond memorization,” Crosswhite said.

Most importantly, it reflects a classroom environment built on trust, relevance and shared investment in learning, she added.

Crosswhite said she never feels finished as an educator.

“I rarely feel that I’ve done enough for my students,” she said. “I often think each lecture, semester and course could be improved.”

A constant drive to do better, refine, rework and reimagine is what ultimately defines her classroom, Crosswhite said.

For Crosswhite, success is not measured by an award, but by the moment a student connects the dots and the light clicks.

Story by Sheridan Chaney | Cowboy Journal