By Scout Nelson
Four faculty members in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture earned promotions and tenure in 2025. They are among 103 university faculty honored this year for their contributions to agricultural education and research.
Christian Elowsky is now an associate professor of practice. He holds degrees in horticulture, biology, and natural resource sciences. Elowsky began as an assistant professor of practice in 2016. Initially balancing teaching with work at the Morrison Microscopy Core Facility, he shifted to full-time teaching in 2019. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate-level plant science courses and advises the university’s Plant Biology Club.
Javed Iqbal has been promoted to associate professor and granted tenure. He specializes in soil science with a focus on nutrient management and water quality. Iqbal has a dual role in research and extension, helping improve fertilizer practices and supporting sustainable crop production across Nebraska. He joined the department in 2019.
Chris Proctor has been promoted to extension educator. With academic training in crop science and agronomy, he focuses on managing herbicide-resistant weeds and promoting smart-sprayer technologies. He also plays a key role in the Nebraska TAPS program, which encourages farmers to test innovative practices. He led the university’s Weed Science Team from 2015 to 2024.
Becky Young is now an associate professor of practice. She holds degrees in geography and soil science and has taught at Nebraska since 2015. Her teaching covers soil evaluation and field-based geography courses.
She has also mentored over 20 teaching assistants and co-led international field courses to Iceland, Rwanda, and Costa Rica. She co- coaches the university’s Soil Judging Team.
These promotions reflect the faculty’s commitment to advancing agricultural education, student learning, and applied research in Nebraska and beyond.
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Categories: Nebraska, Education