Dr. Raegan Skelton receives 2026 Concordia Nebraska Outstanding Teaching Award

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Outstanding Teaching Award is an honor given to a full-time faculty member. Annually, students nominate faculty who represent the ideals and values that define the essence of the university. From the list of nominees, one member of the faculty is selected to receive the Outstanding Teaching Award. The award is presented during the university's annual commencement honors dinner.    

This year’s winner is Concordia Nebraska Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Raegan Skelton. 

“God has created an incredible world, and I love nerding out with students about the biology of it all. But it goes so much deeper for me,” she said. “I want my students to feel challenged and inspired by what they learn from me—but I also want them to feel empowered, valued and equipped to live out their faith more confidently, regardless of their majors or career plans. To know that students are feeling this way by wanting to recognize me for an award like this is such a blessing and means the absolute world to me. Thank you!” 

“I want my students to feel challenged and inspired by what they learn from me—but I also want them to feel empowered, valued and equipped to live out their faith more confidently, regardless of their majors or career plans.”

Skelton joined the Concordia University, Nebraska Natural Sciences Department in fall 2022. She has a background in cellular and molecular biology, immunology and virology, graduating with her Ph.D. in basic biomedical sciences from the University of South Dakota in 2021. Before joining the Concordia family, she worked as a technician in the chemistry lab of BD-Medical, Pharmaceutical Systems in Columbus, Nebraska, and taught as an adjunct professor for biology and chemistry.    

Being a biology professor is a vocation God has called Skelton to for as long as she can remember. She knows God brought her specifically to Concordia to make a difference in students’ lives as they develop their faith for the first time as independent adults.     

Courses taught by Skelton include General Biology 1 and 2, Biochemistry Lab, Animal Behavior, Developmental Biology, Nonmajors Human Genetics, Nonmajors Introductory Biology, Introduction to Neuroscience and Foundations. She encourages students to stop by her office with any questions they may have. If she doesn't have the answer, they will work to figure it out together.  She also serves as the faculty adviser for the university’s Bulldogs4Life club and Monarchs and More Conservation Club.  

Skelton has also led workshops at Concordia and in the local community focusing on the intersection of faith and science including SPARK Camp and The Lutheran Invite and has also served as a guest speaker at the on-campus Bible study, The Attic. She is also the dual credit liaison for several biology courses, the social media liaison for the Natural Sciences department and has spearheaded a recent partnership between the university and the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. 

Skelton also seeks ways to offer her students opportunities to take the lead and gain experiences they wouldn't otherwise have at this level in their education and career.  

“I’ve now had two students lead lectures in my General Biology classes, working with them one-on-one to develop, design and implement their own 50-minute lecture,” she explained. “I also invited a science education student to co-lead my SPARK Camp workshop with me this last summer, which he will now be leading on his own this upcoming summer. Anything I can do to help students gain the skills they need to succeed!” 

Student comments are collected as part of the nomination process for this award. Many Concordia Nebraska students shared their experiences with Skelton. 

One student said, “this professor pays strong attention to detail and challenges students to do the same. Lessons were focused on material that was applicable beyond education. This professor truly cares for students and everyone around her and is willing to go out of her way to support them even if it involves sacrifice.” 

Another added, “she includes God in every lecture and even encourages us to pay attention to the Biblical aspects of the science world. She shares her wisdom and knowledge in the classroom, walks through both what she's doing and why it's important in the lab, challenges the way I think and has been so generous in investing in my development as a person and an early-career professional.” 

Yet another said, “she has pushed me to develop in my understanding of biology and is always coming prepared, organized and ready to help me grow. She honestly believes in us and wants us to succeed. She keeps us excited to learn more!” 

Skelton is married to Concordia Nebraska alumnus Jesse Skelton '12. They have one son, future Bulldog Jackson, born March 2023. In their free time, they help run their family beef business and their six-generation family farm in Southwest Nebraska where they raise cattle and crops, always taking time to play with Jackson in every dirt or rock pile he finds.    

The biology program at Concordia University, Nebraska is a home for students who want to pursue their chosen vocation not for the sake of wealth, but for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the people He has placed here for us to serve. Classes and labs are taught by faculty with the highest degrees in the biological sciences who are committed to education and their students.