As an instructor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University (CSU), Shannon Mason’s primary role is to introduce undergraduate students to the wonders of horticulture. Her largest class—Horticultural Science—continues to grow in enrollment. “This course is full every semester,” says Mason. With 250 students enrolled in Fall 2023, the enrollment will increase to 275 in Spring 2024. “This is considered a ‘recruiting’ course,” she says. “Our hope is that the course encourages students to choose majors in the horticulture department.” Near the end of each semester, “the course takes a deep dive into career possibilities such as greenhouse and horticulture design options. Students are often pleasantly surprised at the career possibilities saying, ‘that’s a thing? We can do that?’”
Journey to CSU
Mason joined CSU faculty in fall 2020 during the pandemic when all classes were online, and of course, now her courses have shifted to in-person. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in floriculture from Texas A&M University. After teaching high school biology for a year following graduation, she worked in the greenhouse industry.
Before coming to CSU, for seven years Shannon taught floral design and other courses at University of Arkansas (U of A), where her husband Esten Mason pursued his career in wheat breeding as an associate professor. Of note, it was while at U of A that Shannon’s interest in floral design was piqued.
As is often the case with families in which both spouses are in academia, decisions are made based on the best positions and opportunities for at least one in the couple. In Mason’s case, career moves for Esten Mason, now a professor at CSU in the wheat breeding and genetics program, took precedence. Fortunately, Shannon’s experience also landed her a position at CSU.
Passion for Teaching and Student Learning
Mason is committed to keeping her students engaged and interested in horticulture, especially floriculture and cut flowers, her own passion. She continues to modify and update the introductory horticultural science course each year to keep it relevant to students.
“I want the courses I teach to be more student–centered, to put students in charge of their learning,” Mason says. “I try to give them more hands-on experience while learning. I tell them; ‘This is the place where you can fail.’ You can learn from your mistakes here and avoid them in your professional life, or in your own garden.” Mason acts are their ‘consultant’ during their optional, hands-on projects and students are given the opportunity to implement their ideas.
Students do not get a failing grade for a project that ‘fails’ in their small garden plot by the Horticulture Center. They are graded on their course work. Though hands-on projects are optional, most students participate. “Previous students have told me it was a good experience and I love to provide them this opportunity.”
Looking Ahead
“I love cut flowers!” says Mason. “I created a floral design course at U of A and also have experience with floral design at Texas A&M. Here at CSU, a floral design course is being tossed around—perhaps bringing it back since it is not currently an offering.” She believes such a course could be another effective recruiting course for the department along with the currently popular horticultural science class.
