Top ag and college awards to NCTA tech programs

July 7, 2020

Dean’s Message from Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture was honored twice during June ceremonies which recognized the college overall and agriculture mechanics instructor Dan Stehlik.

Congratulations to all of the NCTA faculty and staff for recognition as the 2020 Outstanding Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Program!

The award was presented in a virtual ceremony in early June by the Nebraska Career and Technical Education division of the Nebraska Department of Education, and the Association for Career and Technical Education Nebraska.

While I served as an agriculture advisor for the past academic year with the Nebraska Department of Education I got a direct view of NCTA’s academic programs and support to youth education, particularly with Nebraska FFA.

Now, since stepping into the role as NCTA’s dean just three weeks ago, I have a great appreciation for the outstanding work and dedication put forth by the faculty of NCTA, a small and top-quality institution.

The CTE award encompasses many facets of college instruction and opportunity for students. Courses in welding, animal science, small engines, equine science, crop production, precision agriculture, business management, veterinary technology, ag marketing, and meat science top the list.

Tie in the technical subject matter to youth programs which develop leadership, team-building, communication skills, and responsibilities as an employee, NCTA is, indeed a top postsecondary institution!

Top Agriculture Educator

One of our own alumni and faculty, Dan Stehlik, was named a top educator in postsecondary education for his expertise in the classroom and laboratory.

In a separate virtual summer conference held during the same week as the NCTE event, the Nebraska Agricultural Education Association recognized Mr. Stehlik for NCTA’s Outstanding Postsecondary Program.

Dan has done an amazing job building our Agriculture Mechanics program which includes welding, irrigation technology, small engines and agriculture safety courses.

He knows NCTA quite well, having graduated in 1975 with an associate degree in production agriculture. Dan farmed for a few years at his hometown near Dorchester, then returned to a college campus to become an agriculture teacher. In 1986, he received a bachelor’s degree in dual programs of agriculture education and general agriculture.

We have another connection as both of us taught in Kansas high school agriculture education programs for many years. NCTA will celebrate Dan’s award when he officially receives the plaque and banner which accompanies the annual award.

Congratulations and thank you, Mr. Stehlik, for being the dedicated teacher that you are, both in high schools and here at NCTA!

Fall schedule and signups

Last week I announced that NCTA will begin the fall semester on August 24, our regularly scheduled timeframe.  We are looking forward to classes resuming in a face-to-face format.

We’ve been hosting in-person campus tours steadily in June, and are seeing great interest in new enrollments and transfer students coming to NCTA.

For campus tours, contact Linda Cole and for enrollment speak with Gaylene Stinman. Details on Aggie academics, housing, and registration is outlined at ncta.unl.edu. I plan to meet more Curtis residents and students in July. Go Aggies!

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in numerous competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.