TORONTO — At the recent Poultry Science Association annual meeting, Dr. Casey M. Owens, a poultry science professor at the University of Arkansas, earned the 2026 NOVUS Outstanding Teaching Award.
Owens was recognized for her dedication to student success, innovative teaching methods and lasting contributions to poultry science education, NOVUS said in a statement.
With her position at the University of Arkansas, Owens is able to help the next generation of scientists and industry leaders prepare for their futures in the poultry industry.
“This award is well-deserved, reflecting the significant impact Dr. Owens has had by bridging industry, academia, and research through her inspired teaching style and engagement across all ages and experiences,” Lindsay Parker, NOVUS Poultry Solutions senior manager for North America, said. “Dr. Owens’ passion for poultry extends from her interaction with students and allied groups to integrators and consumers. Her research around meat quality is likewise highly regarded and meaningful in advancing the poultry industry. NOVUS is honored to give Dr. Owens the recognition she has earned.”
Owens told NOVUS that her teaching philosophy centers on linking scientific theory to real-world application using different approaches in the classroom and the lab.
“This approach engages diverse learners and helps students develop both technical knowledge and practical skills they can apply beyond the classroom,” Owens said. “I also purposely incorporate fun, creative elements into my courses, including interactive activities like gamified reviews, themed challenges like the ‘chicken sandwich tour’, and even wearing chicken-related costumes like a rubber chicken or an egg. These efforts help keep students engaged and build a strong sense of classroom community.”
In addition to teaching, Owens’ work includes research focused on poultry meat quality. Her work evaluates how production and processing practices affect characteristics such as tenderness, water-holding capacity, color, and sensory attributes, NOVUS noted.
Owens also manages industry workshops on meat and egg processing, serves as undergraduate curriculum chair and academic advisor, and has mentored numerous students working towards their doctorate or master’s degree throughout her career, NOVUS added.
There are two mentors from her time at Texas A&M University that helped create her approach to teaching and research. Owens credits Dr. Alan Sams for teaching her the importance of applying scientific principles to industry-relevant problems, while Dr. Rhonda Miller influenced her use of creative, multi-modal teaching methods that help students understand complex scientific concepts better.
Outside of her work at the university, Owens is dedicated to inspiring teenagers to explore a career in agriculture. She hosts poultry product workshops, mentors high school students participating in agriscience fairs, and helps students learn about opportunities in the poultry industry, NOVUS said.
When it comes to young people choosing their future careers, Owens had some enthusiastic advice.
“My advice is to choose agriculture. There are so many opportunities in agriculture that really make a meaningful impact on people’s lives,” she said. “To be more specific, choose poultry! The poultry industry has a multitude of career opportunities but also offers a strong sense of community and connection among its people.”
Owens is the perfect example of how diverse a career in the poultry industry can be.
“While research and service are central to academic life, my commitment to teaching has shaped my identity as an educator, mentor, and leader in poultry science,” Owens said. “My philosophy is grounded in three guiding principles: applied and experiential learning, intentional student engagement, and continuous improvement. I am thankful for my mentors early in my career, industry colleagues who contribute information to allow my class to stay current on industry practices, my students for going on this journey with me, and finally my mom who always instilled the importance of education in me, with a little humor, too.”
The NOVUS Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes exceptional educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and a commitment to advancing poultry science education, and Owens’ impact reflects the values the award was created to honor, NOVUS added.
