Isaya Kisekka named recipient of 2020 Excellence in Education Award
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (July 7, 2020) — The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that Isaya Kisekka, PhD, of the University of California, Davis has been named the recipient of the 2020 Excellence in Education Award. This award recognizes a person who teaches irrigation, water management and/or water conservation in affiliation with a two- or four-year institution and has a commitment to not only elevating the level of education but also promoting the field of irrigation as a viable and sustainable career to students.
Kisekka is an associate professor of agricultural water management and irrigation engineering and associate irrigation engineer at UC Davis, and he was instrumental in reviving the irrigation curriculum there. Kisekka co-led the development of three new irrigation courses and the modification of one old course. This effort resulted in creation of an irrigation and water management minor available to students from different majors. Since his appointment at UC Davis, Kisekka has taught courses on irrigation principles and practices and evapotranspiration measurement and modeling. He is known to bring excitement and energy to his classroom, which is passed on to his students.
“Identifying, encouraging and preparing the next generation of leaders in the irrigation industry are daunting tasks,” said IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE. “Isaya’s commitment and leadership in programs at UC Davis and the IA, such as Faculty Academy, shows he is ready and willing to go above and beyond to secure our industry’s future success.”
Kisekka has also shared his expertise with fellow educators through the IA’s agriculture Faculty Academy, and he has been chosen to serve as associate editor for the IA/American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 6th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the 2020 Excellence in Education Award winner by the IA,” Kisekka said. “Working with students and promoting efficient irrigation through engagement is a passion of mine. I’m excited about what the future holds for our industry.”
Kisekka will be a featured guest on an upcoming episode of the IA’s Bringing Water to Life podcast. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at www.irrigation.org/awards.