Professor and Associate Director ISU Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Department of Horticulture
106 Horticulture Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1100
Phone: 515-294-5075
Fax: 515-294-0730
Email: vanderza@iastate.edu
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Washington State Univ., 1994
- Master of Science, Cornell University, 1990
- Bachelor of Science, Washington State Univ., 1988
Awards/Special Recognition
- ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award, 2011
- Outstanding Undergraduate Educator, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 2010
- Gamma Sigma Delta, Iowa Chapter of the Agriculture Honor Society, 2008
- Bronze Award, National Association for Communication Excellence, Home Landscape Extension Publication, 2007
- Outstanding Teaching Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 2007
- Outstanding Extension Publication (Bulletin), American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 2007
- Teacher Fellow, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 2007
- ISU CELT Miller Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Institute, 2007-2008
- Miller Faculty Fellow, 2006
- Iowa State University Wakonse Fellow, 2006
- Merit award, Ornamental Feature Article, National Turf and Ornamentals Communicators Association, 2006
- Phi Beta Delta International Education Honor Society, 2005
- Miller Faculty Fellow, 2004
- Registry of Distinguished Teachers, College of Agriculture, Oregon State Univ., 2001
- Agricultural Communicators in Education, Distance Ed and Instructional Design, 2001
- Outstanding Teacher, Department of Horticulture, Illinois State University, 1996
Research Focus
Dr. VanDerZanden's research interests include undergraduate pedagogy, using new technology to enhance the learning experiences of students and nursery/landscape professionals, and evaluation on landscape sustainability. Selected research publications are listed here.
Teaching/Advising Responsibilities
Dr. VanDerZanden's current teaching responsibilities include Principles of Garden Composition and Beginning Garden Composition Studio (Hort 380 and Hort 381), Advanced Garden Composition (Hort 481) and Landscape Contracting and Estimating (Hort 446). She advises undergraduate students in the Landscape Design, Installation and Management option within the Horticulture Science major, and co-advises the student chapter of PLANET. Over the course of her academic career Dr. VanDerZanden has taught 20 different undergraduate courses in horticulture. In all of her courses she teaches technical skills as well as problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills necessary for a successful career in horticulture.
Extension Program
Dr. VanDerZanden serves as an Extension specialist for nursery and landscape horticulture. Her program centers on landscape design, installation and maintenance and developing educational programming to meet the educational needs of green industry members in these areas. To this end she has developed a 20- module online training program to assist Iowa nursery professionals in preparing for the Iowa Certified Nursery Professional exam. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) and works extensively with the association’s Education Committee. Selected Extension publications are listed here.
Organizations/Appointments/Activities
- Iowa State University
- Faculty Senate, Department of Horticulture Senator, 2004-2010
- Faculty Development and Administrative Relations Council, 2004-10; Chair 2008-2010
- Student Athlete Appeals Committee, 2006-2010
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Program Committee 2007-present
- Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association Board of Directors, 2004-present
- Bickelhaupt Arboretum Board of Directors, 2008-present
- Smart Gardening, National Public Television Show
- Horticulture Consultant 1997-2003; Story Editor 2003-2004
- American Society for Horticultural Science, 1994-present
- HortTechnology Associate Editor (Urban Horticulture) 2002-present
- Teaching Methods working group, 1998-present
- Community Hort. & Master Gardener working group, 1998-2003
- Graduate Activities Committee, 2002-2004; 2006-2010
- Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), 1997-present
- National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 1995-present
- Chair, Educational Issues and Teaching Improvement Committee, 2006-present
