2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Cindy exemplifies what a teacher should be. She can spark an interest in horticulture for undeclared freshmen and masterfully hold seniors accountable to reach their potential. She finds ways to engage every student and help them become the best horticulturists they can be. Her actions also inspire other faculty to become the best teachers they can be. Below are specific examples of how Dr. Haynes is especially qualified to receive this award.

Dr. Haynes has taught 15 different courses reaching more than 3500 students while at Iowa State, and the courses range from introductory to capstone types. Active learning, experiential learning, cooperative learning, and/or service learning activities are components in nearly every course she teaches. She has also developed innovative teaching tools such as an iPhone application to improve learning of herbaceous ornamentals and she was an early adopter of “clickers” in the classroom (>10 years ago). More recently she uses her Instagram account (isu_hort) to inspire students to learn more about the diversity of horticulture.

Dr. Haynes has proven to be an excellent teacher with very high student evaluations Selected student comments highlight what they appreciate most about her courses and include: “I like her way of teaching and communicating with students.”
“Excellent teaching strategies – experiential and situated learning made concepts more applicable, challenging and engaging.”

Dr. Haynes has mentored or advised students in several capacities while at ISU including: as an advisor for the ISU Horticulture Club; as Director of the EARTH program where she mentored 30 students participating in a service-learning program on St. John; and currently as faculty leader of the freshman ACES Learning Community, a residential learning community for students in the College or Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dr. Haynes has been an active member of ASHS since 1990 and has served the organization in many capacities. She served as consulting editor for a 2004 special issue of HortTechnology focused on youth garden education. As chair of HIH and TEACH working groups, she helped coordinate several workshops and symposia, including the 2011 symposia on human issues in horticulture, and the 2014 workshop on two-minute teaching tips. Dr. Haynes has served her profession as an Extension Specialist and Professor-in-Charge of the ISU Master Gardener program. She has helped organize a number of successful statewide, regional, and international conferences for Master Gardeners.

Dr. Haynes provides leadership on projects and committees including departmental, college, and university-level curriculum committees. She is actively involved at ISU in promoting effective teaching approaches and regularly engages in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) around this work. She also has given many invited presentations on innovative teaching strategies at national meetings.