Nathan Kemper and Britni Ayers, both doctoral students in public policy at the University of Arkansas, were recently honored with teaching awards for the 2014-15 academic year.

Kemper received the "Outstanding Teaching Award" for the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Undergraduate students in the Agricultural Business Club selected him for the award. Kemper, who began teaching at the university in 2013, was humbled to receive the honor.

"It meant a great deal to me to be given this award by the students after only three semesters of teaching in the department," he said. "This is something I don't take for granted."

Ayers was named an outstanding teacher by members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was recognized at the organization's annual scholarship banquet.

"Receiving this award was an honor for me, and it reinforced my desire to script creative lectures and inspire young students to have a vigor for learning," Ayers said.

Ayers credited the public policy program in helping her become a better teacher.

"The program has provided a conducive environment for learning, and I have gained the skillset necessary to dissect the complexities of policy, thus priming my ability as a researcher and teacher," she said.

Both Ayers and Kemper plan to pursue careers in teaching after completing their doctoral degrees in the 2015-16 academic year.

About the Public Policy Program: The public policy program is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program that focuses on training leaders who will directly affect policy issues relevant to the people of Arkansas, the region and the nation. The program draws on the strengths of many academic departments and disciplines to meet its education, outreach and service goals.