Elizabeth Karcher

Professional Experiences

2025-Present: Association Dean for Undergraduate Education, College of Agricultural Sciences

2023-2025: Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University

2020-2023: Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University

2016-2020: Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University

2008-2016: Academic Specialist, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University

2008: Post-doctoral Research Assistant, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University

Peer-Reviewed Articles (Teaching and Learning)

• Ragland, E. and L. Karcher. 2025. Influence of group inquiry-based learning experimentation on student interest, experience, and motivation in an introductory animal agriculture course. NACTA Journal. 69:54-68.
• Erasmus, M.A., A.C. Fanatico, L. Karcher, and J.B. Wells. 2025. National extension workshop: Connecting learners and educators to broaden reach and maximize impact in the 21^st century. Poultry Science. 104: 104642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104642
• Karcher, E.L., J.M. Ferandez, C.Z. Alvarado, N. Tamin, and D. Benson. 2025. Preparing students for diverse careers in the poultry industry. Poultry Science. 104:104485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104485
• Karcher, E.L., D.M. Bogdanic, and S.E. Cloft. 2025. Enhancing high school students’ interest, motivation, and knowledge through poultry science workshops. Poultry Science. 104:105200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105200
• Karcher, E.L., B. Wardwell, E. Ragland, A. York, Z. Machaty, K. Stewart, S. Radcliffe, and E.A. Lott. Adapting the program redesign model for student-centered curricula renewal in animal science. Natural Sciences Education. 52(1): e20105.
• Karcher, L., D. Koltes, F. Robinson, and T. Applegate. 2023. Better teaching through science: incorporating the scholarship of teaching and learning. Poultry Science. 102(1): 102234.
• Wardwell, B., A. Rosenkrans, D. Marks, D.M. Karcher, and L. Karcher. 2023. Interest, engagement, and motivation – a tool to evaluate extension programming. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 32(1): 100313.
• Simmermeyer, , G. Fraley, S. LaRose, and E.L. Karcher. 2023. Impact of teacher self-efficacy on elementary STEM-based agricultural curriculum. NACTA Journal. 67(1).
• Ragland, , S. Radcliffe, and E.L. Karcher. 2022. A review of the application of active learning pedagogies in undergraduate animal science curricula. Journal of Animal Science. 101: skac352.
• Ragland, , and E.L. Karcher. 2022. The implementation of inquiry-based learning in an introductory animal science course. NACTA Journal. 66(1): 303-315.
• Simmermeyer, , G.S. Fraley, S. LaRose, and E.L Karcher. 2022. Creating awareness of the turkey industry through an online STEM-based curriculum. NACTA Journal. 66: 205-217.
• Karcher, E.L., D. Gubmerman, E. Bonem, and J. Lumkes. 2022. Instructor perception of incorporating active learning in college of agriculture Teaching and Learning Inquiry. Volume 10.
• Karcher, L., D. Koltes, B. Wenner, and J. Wells. 2022. Sparking curiosity and engagement through online curriculum. Poultry Science. 101:101577.
• Karcher, E.L. 2021. Introduction to Animal Agriculture. Great River Learning.
• Wickenhauser, L., P. Ebner, E.A. Flaherty, and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Essential skill questionnaire: A pilot study of a self-report measure to identify undergraduate level of essential job skills. NACTA Journal. 65:414-418.
• Wickenhauser, L., P. Ebner, E.A. Flaherty, and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Intercultural competence: fostering skill development during emergency remote learning. NACTA Journal. 65:288-296
• Marks, A., S. LaRose, C. Brady, M. Erasmus, and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Integrated STEM and poultry science curriculum to increase agricultural literacy. Poultry Science. 100(10): 101319.
• Marks, M. and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Increasing student interest in poultry science through an integrated STEM-curriculum. NACTA Journal. 65:100-110.
• Erickson, G., M. Wattiaux, D. Marks, and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Brief written reflections improve interest of introductory animal science students: a randomized controlled intervention study. CBE- Life Science Education. 20:ar28: 1-11.
• Wickenhauser, L. and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Cultivating empathy: developing student intercultural skills in an internationally focused animal science course. NACTA Journal. 65:18-25.
• Wickenhauser, L. and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Developing student intercultural competence in an introductory STEM-based course. NACTA Journal. 65: 94-99.
• Grant, J.L., K. Acheson-Clair, and L. Karcher. 2021. Using the BEVI to assess individual experience to enhance international programming. Frontiers: Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. 33(1): 129-142.
• Wickenhauser, , P. Brennan, M. Erasmus, D.M. Karcher, and E.L. Karcher. 2021. Recruiting the next generation of poultry professionals. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 30(1): 100130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2020.100130
• Erickson, G., M. Wattiaux, and E.L. Karcher. 2020. Longitudinal measurement invariance and stability of individual interest across a 16-week introductory animal sciences course. Natural Sciences Education. 49:e20031. DOI: 10.1002/nse2.20031
• Erickson,G., D. Guberman, and E.L.Karcher. 2020. Undergraduates’ experiences of transculturation toward engagement pedagogy through a partnership program in animal science. NACTA Journal. 64(1).
• Erickson, G., M. Erasmus, N. Knobloch, D.M. Karcher, and E.L. Karcher. 2020. Evaluating online modules contextualizing STEM in poultry science for secondary students. Journal of Agricultural Education. 61(3): 20-40.
• Erickson, M.G., N.A. Knobloch, M. Erasmus, D.M. Karcher, and L. Karcher. 2019. Poultry in the classroom: effectiveness of an online poultry-science based education program for high school STEM instruction. Poultry Science. 98:6593-6601.
• Erickson,G., D.M. Marks, and E.L. Karcher. 2019. Motivational effects of hands-on, problem-based, and learning activities in an introductory college course. Teaching and Learning Inquiry. 8(1):138-153.
• Grant, J.L. and L. Karcher. 2019. Evaluating student intercultural competence development in an animal production study abroad program. NACTA Journal. 63:173-182.
• Grant, J.L. and L. Karcher. 2019. Integrating Extension Educators in agricultural study abroad programming. NACTA Journal. 63: 56-163.
• Erickson, M.G., Guberman, H. Zhu, and E.L. Karcher. 2018. Interest and active learning techniques in an introductory animal science course. NACTA Journal. 63:293-298.
• Karcher, E.L. and Reid. 2018. The use of virtual farm tours in a dairy cattle management course. NACTA Journal. 62:371-375.
• Karcher, E.L., R. Lemenager, N. Knobloch D. Buskirk, and K. Stewart. 2018. Student perception of trans-institutional cooperative learning in an Animal Science NACTA Journal. 62:254-259.
• Karcher, E.L. and L. Trottier. 2014. Enhancing the student learning experience through an undergraduate research club. NACTA Journal. 58:1-4.
• Karcher, E.L., E. Wandschneider, and W.J. Powers. 2013. Emerging Issues and Sustainability in International Agriculture: A Study Abroad Program to NACTA Journal. 57:69-73.

Awards and Honors

2024: USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Award

2024: Teaching Excellence Award, NACTA

2024: Legendary Leader in Study Abroad, College of Agriculture, Purdue University

2023: Richard Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, College of Agricultural, Purdue University

2023: Fulbright Specialist, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Dronten, The Netherlands

2023: Novus International Teaching Award, Poultry Science Association

2022: Charles Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, Purdue University

2022: University Teaching Leadership Award, Purdue University

2022: Vision Award, Center of Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment, Research, Purdue University

2019: USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching and Student Engagement Award

2019: Exceptional Early Career Teaching Award, Purdue University

2019: Richard Kohls Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University

2019: PK-12 Emerging Faculty Impact Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University

2018: Teacher Scholar Award, NACTA

2018: Purina Animal Nutrition Teaching Award in Dairy Production, American Dairy Science Association

2017: Outstanding Young Teacher Award, Midwest American Society of Animal Science/American Dairy Science Association

2014: Teacher Fellow Award, NACTA

2014: Distinguished Service in Study Abroad, Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR)

2011: Excellence in Teaching - New Teacher Award, CANR, MSU