Robert M Torres
- Department Head, Agriculture Education
- Professor, Agricultural Education
- Endowed Professor, Neely Family
- Professor, Arid Lands Resources Sciences - GIDP
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
Contact
- (520) 621-1523
- Saguaro Hall, Rm. 205
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- rtorres1@arizona.edu
Biography
Dr. Torres is a professor and former Department Head of Agricultural Education, Technology & Innovation and holds the Neely Family Endowed Professorship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Arizona (UA). Before accepting his current faculty and administrative role, Bobby spent nine years at NMSU and eight years at the University of Missouri (MU). In addition to his current administrative duties, he serves as a student advisor and faculty mentor. He has taught/teaches undergraduate courses in teaching methodologies, organizational leadership, and graduate courses in research methodologies, program evaluation, and data analysis and interpretation. He has received numerous teaching awards and recognitions, including the prestigious USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching Award, Western Region of the American Association of Agricultural Education (AAAE) Distinguished Teaching Award, The North Central Region of AAAE Outstanding Educator Award, the William T. Kemper Fellow for Excellence in Teaching (MU), Gold Chalk Award (MU), College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Teaching Academy Fellow (MU), Faculty Achievement Award (NMSU), the NACTA Teaching Award of Merit, the Outstanding New Member (AAAE), and the Outstanding Undergraduate Advising Award (CAFNR), and was inducted as a CALS Cardon Academy for Teaching Excellence Fellow (UA) and inducted as a Fellow of AAAE. He was recently recognized as the 2017 Bobcat Outstanding Faculty Member Award (UA) and the Arizona CTE Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award. In 2018, he was recognized as the Outstanding Departmental Alumni in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, NMSU and in 2022, was named the Outstanding Graduate in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University. With over 100 refereed publications, Dr. Torres researches in the areas of teaching and learning within agricultural education and has generated over $7 million in total funding from grants and contracts.
Moreover, he has earned several recognitions for the quality of his research, including the Journal of Agricultural Education - Author of the Year Award, the Outstanding Article Award for the Journal of Vocational Education Research, the Jack Everly Journal Award – NACTA Journal, and several research presentation awards at the regional and national level of the American Association for Agricultural Education. He was recognized with the Western Region AAAE Distinguished Research Award. In 2018, Dr. Torres participated in the USDA Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., and is currently a participant of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' Food Systems Leadership Institute, Cohort 15.
Bobby also has served as a member of the National FFA Organization Board of Directors and a past Board (and executive committee) member of the FFA Board of Trustees. Additionally, he served as Chair of The Agricultural Education Magazine Editing-Managing Board. He is currently a member of the Arizona Skills Commission for Career and Technical Education and a member of the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Torres currently serves on The National Council for Agricultural Education and Vice President for the Division of Agricultural Education, the Board of the Association for Career and Technical education.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Agricultural Education
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- M.S. Agricultural and Extension Education
- New Mexio State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
- B.S. Agricultural and Extension Education
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2010 - Ongoing)
- University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri (2006 - 2002)
- University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri (2002 - 2006)
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (1998 - 2002)
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (1993 - 1998)
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (1990 - 1993)
- Willcox High School (1986 - 1990)
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (1985 - 1986)
Awards
- Food Systems Leadership Institute
- FSLI is a program of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation., Fall 2021
- E. "Kika" De La Garza Fellow
- United States Department of Agriculture, Summer 2018
- Bobcat Outstanding Faculty Member Award
- Bobcat Senior Honorary, University of Arizona, Spring 2017
- Honorary Brother
- Alpha Gamma Rho – Alpha Pi Chapter, University of Arizona, Spring 2017
- CTE Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award,.
- Association of Career and Technical Education - Arizona, Summer 2013
- Fellow, CALS Bart Cardon Teaching Academy
- UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fall 2012
- Honorary State FFA Degree
- Arizona Association FFA, Tucson, AZ, June 2012Missouri FFA Association, Columbia, MO, April 2007New Mexico FFA Association, Las Cruces, NM, June, 1997, Summer 2012
- Distinguished Research Award
- Western Region of the American Association of Agricultural Education, Bellingham,WA, April 2012., Spring 2012
- Jack Everly Journal Award (Volume 54, 2011)
- North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture, Summer 2011
- Fellow of the American Association for Agricultural Education
- American Association for Agricultural Education, Spring 2011
- Gold Chalk Award
- The Graduate Professional Council, University of Missouri, Spring 2010
- William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
- University of Missouri, Spring 2009
Licensure & Certification
- Curriculum on Agriscience Education, The National Council for Agricultural Education (2018)
Interests
Teaching
Teacher Education, Leadership Education, Research and Data Analysis
Research
Teaching and Learning in Agricultural Settings
Courses
2023-24 Courses
-
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Independent Study
AED 599 (Spring 2023) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 409 (Spring 2023) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2023) -
Com Knowledge Ag+Life Sc
ALC 422 (Fall 2022) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2022) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Principles & Philosophy of CTE
CTE 500 (Summer I 2022) -
Independent Study
AED 599 (Spring 2022) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 409 (Spring 2022) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 509 (Spring 2022) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Fall 2021) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2021) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Master's Report
AED 909 (Summer I 2021) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2021) -
Independent Study
AED 699 (Spring 2021) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Spring 2021) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Spring 2021) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 409 (Spring 2021) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 509 (Spring 2021) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2021) -
Independent Study
AED 499 (Fall 2020) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2020) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Independent Study
AED 599 (Summer I 2020) -
Internship
AED 593 (Summer I 2020) -
Internship
AGTM 493 (Summer I 2020) -
Ldrshp Prins & Practices
ALC 309 (Summer I 2020) -
Advncs In Agri Comm/Educ
AED 497Q (Spring 2020) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2020) -
Independent Study
ALC 399 (Spring 2020) -
Internship
AED 693 (Spring 2020) -
Internship Extension Education
AED 693A (Spring 2020) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Spring 2020) -
Preceptorship
AED 391 (Spring 2020) -
Preceptorship
ALC 391 (Spring 2020) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Spring 2020) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 409 (Spring 2020) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 509 (Spring 2020) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Fall 2019) -
Internship
AED 693 (Fall 2019) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Fall 2019) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Instr Adv/Career+Tech Ed
AED 597G (Summer I 2019) -
Internship
AED 693 (Summer I 2019) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Summer I 2019) -
Advncs In Agri Comm/Educ
AED 497Q (Spring 2019) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2019) -
Internship Extension Education
AED 693A (Spring 2019) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 409 (Spring 2019) -
Team & Organization Leadership
ALC 509 (Spring 2019) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2019) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Fall 2018) -
Internship Extension Education
AED 693A (Fall 2018) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Fall 2018) -
Prof. Leadership Concepts
AED 311 (Fall 2018) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Fall 2018) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2018) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Independent Study
AED 499 (Summer I 2018) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Summer I 2018) -
Advncs In Agri Comm/Educ
AED 597Q (Spring 2018) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
AED 299 (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
AED 399 (Spring 2018) -
Independent Study
AED 499 (Spring 2018) -
Internship
AED 393 (Spring 2018) -
Master's Report
AED 909 (Spring 2018) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Spring 2018) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 409 (Spring 2018) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 509 (Spring 2018) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2018) -
Agricultur Systems Management
ASM 301 (Fall 2017) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Fall 2017) -
Internship
AED 493 (Fall 2017) -
Irrig Principles+Mgmt
ASM 404 (Fall 2017) -
Learn to Teach to Learn
AED 150A1 (Fall 2017) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Fall 2017) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2017) -
Resiliency+Human Potentl
AED 210 (Fall 2017) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Internship
ASM 493 (Summer I 2017) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Summer I 2017) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Summer I 2017) -
Advncs In Agri Comm/Educ
AED 497Q (Spring 2017) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2017) -
Independent Study
AED 499 (Spring 2017) -
Ldrshp Prins & Practices
AED 309 (Spring 2017) -
Professional Resiliency
AED 195B (Spring 2017) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 409 (Spring 2017) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 509 (Spring 2017) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2017) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Fall 2016) -
Instr Adv/Career+Tech Ed
AED 597G (Fall 2016) -
Internship
AED 493 (Fall 2016) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Fall 2016) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Master's Report
AED 909 (Summer I 2016) -
Research, Methds & Project Dsn
AED 617 (Summer I 2016) -
Advncs In Agri Comm/Educ
AED 497Q (Spring 2016) -
Heritage+Trad Univ of Az
AED 295B (Spring 2016) -
Internship
AED 493 (Spring 2016) -
Preceptorship
AED 691 (Spring 2016) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 409 (Spring 2016) -
Team & Organization Leadership
AED 509 (Spring 2016) -
Thesis
AED 910 (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Sias, P. M., Torres, R. M., Mars, M. M., & Foerster, T. (2022). Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Non-formal Education and Community Outreach: An Examination of the Self-Efficacy and Professional Development Needs of Wildlife Managers. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 27(3), 220-235. doi:10.1080/10871209.2021.1910881
- DeKoker, T., Mars, M. M., Torres, R. M., & Quist, T. M. (2018). Wild greens knowledge and consumption: A qualitative exploration of human agency in the Southern Arizona food system. Food, Culture & Society: An International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 21(3), 331-349. doi:10.1080/15528014.2018.1451040
- Jeffers-Sample, A., Mars, M. M., Rice, A. M., & Torres, R. M. (2018). Examining the Entrepreneurial Leadership Propensities of Extension Educators. Journal of Extension, 56(6 Article 6FEA4).
- Mars, M. M., & Torres, R. M. (2018). Developing collegiate student proclivities to entrepreneurial leadership. Journal of Leadership Education, 17(4), 110-129. doi:10.12806/V17/I4/R7
- Quist, T. M., Torres, R. M., Mars, M. M., & De Koker, T. (2018). Wild greens knowledge and consumption: a qualitative exploration of human agency in the Southern Arizona food system. Food, Culture & Society, 21(3), 331-349. doi:10.1080/15528014.2018.1451040
- Quist, T. M., Torres, R. M., Mars, M. M., & DeKoker, T. (2018). Wild greens knowledge and consumption: A qualitative exploration of human agency in the Southern Arizona food system. Food, Culture & Society: An International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 21(3), 331-349. doi:10.1080/15528014.2018.1451040
- Torres, R. M., & Mars, M. M. (2018). Developing collegiate student proclivities to entrepreneurial leadership. Journal of Leadership Education, 17(4), 110-129. doi:10.12806/V17/I4/R7
- Torres, R. M., Rice, A. M., Mars, M. M., & Jeffers-Sample, A. (2018). Examining the Entrepreneurial Leadership Proclivities of Extension Educators. Journal of Extension, 56(6 Article 6FEA4).
- Cubillas, S., Mars, M. M., Torres, R. M., & Sias, P. M. (2017). Tourist Authenticity and Value Co-Creation: An Exploration of Two Local Wineries in Southeastern Arizona, USA. Journal of Rural and Community Development, 12(1), 34-54.
- Torres, R. M., Mars, M. M., & Zamudio, J. M. (2016). A Qualitative Exploration of Entrepreneurial Learning among Southern Arizona Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers. Journal of Extension, 54(2 (Article 2FEA4)).
- Zamudio, J. M., Mars, M. M., & Torres, R. M. (2016). A Qualitative Exploration of Entrepreneurial Learning among Southern Arizona Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers (33%). Journal of Extension, 54(2).
- Torres, R. M., & Vincent, S. K. (2015). Multicultural competence: A case study of teachers and their student perceptions. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52(2), 11. doi:10.5032/jae.2015.02064More infoThe purpose of this study is to describe the level of multicultural competence among secondary agriculture teachers in schools with a minimum of 30% ethnic minority student enrollment. Using the Multicultural Skills Awareness and Skill Survey – Teacher Form, teachers assessed their multicultural competence as did their students assess the teacher’s multicultural competence. For comparison purposes, teachers were grouped by the ethnic diversity of their FFA chapter membership: diverse and non-diverse FFA membership. From the findings, teachers within a diverse FFA membership had a higher multicultural competence level (by the teacher and the students) then did teachers within a non-diverse FFA membership. When combining both teacher groups together, the results suggest that students perceive their teachers to be more multicultural competent then the teachers perceive themselves. The results and recommendations are provided as to the development of teachers that are multicultural competent.
- Mars, M. M., & Torres, R. M. (2014). Enhancing Agricultural Leadership Education through the Inclusion of Entrepreneurial Principles and Practices. NACTA Journal, 58(4), 284-289.
- Torres, R. M., & Mars, M. M. (2014). Enhancing Agricultural Leadership Education through the Inclusion of Entrepreneurial Principles and Practices. NACTA Journal, 58(4), 284-289.
- Lorenzen, C. L., Henderson, M. K., Savage, K. L., & Torres, R. M. (2013). Impact of adding food defense to three different undergraduate curriculums. NACTA Journal, 57(2), 68-71.
- Lambert, M. D., & Torres, R. M. (2012). Student Satisfaction and Self‐Efficacy in a Teaching Methods Course by Treatment. NCATA Journal.
- Lambert, M. D., Torres, R. M., & Tummons, J. (2012). The influence of time management practices on job stress level among beginning secondary agriculture teachers.. Journal of Agricultual Education, 53(1), 45-56.More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2012.01045)
- Lawver, B., & Torres, R. M. (2012). An analysis of agricultural education students choice to teach.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52(2).More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2012.02028)
- Lawver, B., & Torres, R. M. (2011). Determinants of pre-service students' choice to teach secondary agricultural education.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52(1), 61-67.More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2011.01061)
- McKim, B. R., & Torres, R. M. (2011). Perceptions of missouri 4-H youth development personnel regarding interorganizational cooperative behavior. Journal of Extension, 49(4).More infoAbstract: Perceptions of 4-H youth development personnel regarding interorganizational cooperation were studied between the perceived and desired levels of cooperative activities between 4-H youth development personnel and secondary agriculture teachers. Results indicated that 4-H youth development personnel wanted higher levels of coordinated efforts between the organizations and to utilize the resources provided by secondary agriculture teachers. Despite the desire of 4-H youth development personnel to participate in interorganizational cooperation, their perceived level of cooperation was lower than that of their desired level. © by Extension Journal, Inc.
- McKim, B. R., Rutherford, T. A., Torres, R. M., & Murphy, T. H. (2011). Organizational climate of the American Association for Agricultural Education.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52(3), 87-99.More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2011.03099)
- McKim, B. R., Smith, A. R., & Torres, R. M. (2011). An Investigation Of Missouri Secondary Agriculture Teachers: Perceptions Regarding Interorganizational Cooperative Behavior.. Journal of Agricultural Education, 51(5), 118-130.More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2010.04118)
- Aschenbrener, M., Terry, R., & Torres, R. M. (2010). Creative and effective teaching behaviors of university instructors.. Journal of Agricultual Education, 51(3), 64-75.More info(DOI: 10.5032/jae.2010.03064)
- Lambert, M. D., Lawver, R. G., & Torres, R. M. (2010). Secondary agricultural education teachers in North Carolina: Forecasting underlying work-related job-stress levels.. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research, 60(2), 52-66.
- McKim, B. R., & Torres, R. M. (2010). Using case-scenarios to determine the perceptions of secondary agriculture teachers and 4-H youth development personnel regarding interorganizational cooperation.. Journal of Agricultual Education, 51(4), 94-105.
- Torres, R. M., Lambert, M., & Lawver, B. (2010). Predicting Secondary Agriculture Teachers Job Stress from Selected Personal, Family, and Work-Related Characteristics. Career and Technical Education Research, 35(2), 65-79.More infoDOI: 10.5328/cter35.206
Proceedings Publications
- Bird, T. D., Rice, A., Molina, Q. F., & Torres, R. M. (2020, May). The influence of CASE on agriculture teachers’ use of inquiry-based methods.. In The National American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference..
- Phillips, C. K., Mars, M. M., Rice, A. M., & Torres, R. M. (2017, September). How do college students learn about food systems?. In Western Region of American Association of Agricultural Education Annual Meeting, 36, 91-98.
- Lambert, M., & Torres, R. M. (2012, Spring). An Experimental Study of Critical Reflection. In Proceeding of the American Association for Agricultural Education.
- Lambert, M., & Torres, R. M. (2011, Spring). How d I do? Preservice Teachers Reflecting on their Clinical Teaching Experiences. In Preceedings of the American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference, 38, 704-726.
- Lambert, M., & Torres, R. M. (2011, Spring). The Relationship of Methods Students Characteristics to Reflective Ability. In Preceedings of the American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference, 38, 728-744.
- Bowling, A., & Torres, R. M. (2010, Spring). Frequency of coaching behaviors used by agriculture teachers in relation to their state-level floriculture career development event team rank.. In Proceedings of the North Central Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education, 7, 14-26.
- French, S., & Torres, R. M. (2010, Fall). Motivation for enrolling in school-based agricultural education expressed by college freshmen students.. In Proceedings of the North Central Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education, 7, 1-14.
Presentations
- Mars, M. M., Rice, A. M., Torres, R. M., & Phillips, C. K. (2017, September). How do college students learn about food systems?. Western Region of the American Association of Agricultural Education. Ft. Collins, CO: American Association of Agricultural Education.
Poster Presentations
- Molina, Q., Link, J., Torres, R. M., Franklin, E. A., Franklin, E. A., Torres, R. M., Link, J., & Molina, Q. (2022, September). Mock Roof Project for Installation of Demonstration Solar Array by University Students. Western Region Amercian Association of Agricultural Education. Las Cruces, New Mexico: AAAE.
- Molina, Q., Link, J., Torres, R. M., Franklin, E. A., Franklin, E. A., Torres, R. M., Link, J., & Molina, Q. (2022, September). Using a Mobile Demonstration Cart to Introduce Solar PV System to College Students. Western Region American Associaotn of Agricultural Education Research Conference. Las Cruces, New Mexico: AAAE.
- Parker, H. C., Rice, A. M., Torres, R. M., & Molina, Q. F. (2017, May). New Mexico agriculture teachers' perceived self-efficacy to teach science content. American Association for Agricultural Education Poster Proceedings. San Luis Obispo, CA: American Association for Agricultural Education.
- Phillips, C. K., Mars, M. M., Rice, A. M., & Torres, R. M. (2017, May). How do college students learn about food systems?. American Association of Agricultural Education.. San Luis Obispo, CA: American Association of Agricultural Education..
- Phillips, C. K., Torres, R. M., Rice, A. M., Mars, M. M., Mars, M. M., Rice, A. M., Phillips, C. K., & Torres, R. M. (2017, May). How do college students learn about food systems?. American Association of Agricultural Education Annual Meeting. San Luis Obispo, CA: American Association of Agricultural Education.More infoAmerican Association of Agricultural Education
- Colville, C. M., Colville, C. M., Torres, R. M., Torres, R. M., Mars, M. M., Mars, M. M., Molina, Q. F., & Molina, Q. F. (2016, September). Professional Development Needs Among School-based Agriculture Teachers in Arizona. Western Region AAAE Annual Meeting and Research Conference. Tucson, AZ: Western Region of the American Association for Agricultural Education.
- Mars, M. M., Molina, Q. F., Torres, R. M., & Colville, C. M. (2016, September). Professional Development Needs Among School-based Agriculture Teachers in Arizona. 2016 Western Region AAAE Annual Meeting and Research Conference. Tucson, AZ: Western Region of the American Association for Agricultural Education.
- Zamudio, A., & Torres, R. M. (2016, September). Arizona Senior 4-H Members’ Perceived Life Skill Development in Animal and Non-Animal Projects. Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education Annual Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Western Region of the American Association for Agricultural Education.
- Mars, M. M., * Keith, C. M., Torres, R. M., Torres, R. M., * Keith, C. M., & Mars, M. M. (2015, October). Professional Development Needs Among School-based Agriculture Teachers in Arizona. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Poster Forum. University of Arizona: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.More info*For Master's Thesis project.
