Lesleighan Cravens and Ben Knapp were inducted into CAFNR’s Teaching Academy April 23, as part of the 2026 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.  

In 2005, the college established the CAFNR Teaching Academy to recognize outstanding teachers and to seek their assistance in mentoring colleagues. To be eligible for induction, an individual must have received a teaching award on a national, regional or university level that is selected by peers. 

Cravens, assistant teaching professor, Division of Plant Science and Technology, was honored for receiving Mizzou’s 2026 Kathleen & Robert Unrath Excellence in Visionary Teaching Award.  

This honor recognizes and rewards educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation and effectiveness in their teaching practices with an emphasis on demonstrating a strong creative and visual connection to the disciplines taught. Cravens is only the second recipient of this award given by the Office of the Provost and will be recognized along with other faculty awardees during Faculty Excellence Week in May. 

Cravens also supervises the operation of Tiger Garden floral shop and serves as advisor for the Mizzou Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers. She teaches courses including Introduction to Floral Design, Everyday Floral Design and Special Occasions Floral Design, and leads a study abroad program to the Netherlands. She has received both CAFNR’s Golden Apple award and Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award.  

Knapp, associate professor in the School of Natural Resources, was honored for receiving the 2025 Carl Alwin Schenck Award from the Society of American Foresters.  

This recognition is a national award for teaching, selected by peers within the Society of American Foresters for devotion to the instruction of forestry, a career setting high professional and educational standards for students, demonstration of outstanding service to professional education, and development of teaching methods characterized by dynamic communication skills and imaginative techniques, or by using novel concepts. There is one recipient each year, presented at the national conference.  

Knapp teaches courses including Forest Fire Control and Use, Practice of Silviculture and Silviculture Field Practicum. He has received CAFNR’s Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award.