The teachers we remember years later are often the ones who made learning feel real. They encouraged us when something was difficult, helped us find confidence in unfamiliar situations, or showed us that what we were learning had a place beyond the classroom.
For Laura Anderson McIntyre, those teachers helped shape the educator she would become. As an undergraduate, she remembers an organic chemistry professor who taught her persistence and grace, an English instructor who offered practical advice for public presentations, and an advisor who taught ecological principles from a canoe in the Boundary Waters.
Now, nearly two decades into her career at UW-Stevens Point, McIntyre is creating those same kinds of meaningful experiences for her students. A professor of forest recreation in the College of Natural Resources, she has been recognized with the 2026 UW-Stevens Point Excellence in Teaching Award for her creative, student-centered approach to teaching and her commitment to connecting learning with real-world experiences.
“Laura exemplifies teaching excellence at UW-Stevens Point through her creativity, dedication, and student-centered approach,” said Brian Sloss, dean of the College of Natural Resources. “Across nearly two decades, she has inspired students, advanced inclusive pedagogy, and fostered hands-on learning that connects theory with real-world application.”
That connection between the classroom and the world outside is at the heart of McIntyre’s teaching.
Across courses ranging from People, Resources, and the Biosphere to Forest Recreation Planning and Site Design, Recreational Use of Forests and Parks, and Applied Landscape Architecture, McIntyre gives students opportunities to put concepts into practice. Her classes incorporate field experiences, group activities, applied projects, discussions, and real-world case studies.
Students have helped build the Ice Age Trail, gathered observational data along the Green Circle Trail, and used their findings to develop recommendations for trail managers. They have visited the Stevens Point Convention and Visitors Bureau and developed plans for outdoor recreation providers across Wisconsin. In the classroom, students work through management scenarios, practice interviews, analyze risk, and explore how recreation and tourism decisions affect communities and natural resources.
For McIntyre, these experiences are more than ways to make class interesting. They help students understand why the material matters.
She also works intentionally to create classrooms where students feel welcome and supported. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusion and belonging, with attention to accessible course materials, diverse perspectives, and examples that recognize the wide range of ways students engage with the outdoors and natural resources.
That approach includes challenging students to examine their assumptions while looking for shared values and common ground. It is a natural extension of McIntyre’s broader goal of preparing students not only for careers, but to become informed citizens who can contribute to their communities and the environment.
Her commitment to teaching also shows in the time she invests in continuing to grow as an educator. McIntyre has participated in UW-Stevens Point teaching conferences throughout her career and, in recent years, has pursued professional development in inclusive pedagogy, social justice, and teaching and learning. She has participated in the Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Institutes, Faculty College and the Inclusive Excellence Conference, as well as professional development focused on digital accessibility and teaching with artificial intelligence.
That willingness to keep learning has helped her evolve with her students and with the changing landscape of higher education.
McIntyre’s impact extends beyond her own courses. She serves on the CNR Curriculum Committee and the Environmental Responsibility General Education Committee and advises the UWSP Park and Recreation Association. She also serves on the Green Circle Trail Board’s Education and Promotion Subcommittee, bringing her expertise in recreation, education, and community engagement to work beyond campus.
Her influence is particularly visible in her mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. Recent projects have explored topics including eco-anxiety among college students, recreation ecology, and outdoor ethics. Students working with McIntyre have presented their research at campus, state, and national events, gaining experience that extends well beyond the requirements of a degree.
That combination of teaching, mentorship, and professional engagement has become a defining part of McIntyre’s career. In 2025, she received the College of Natural Resources Excellence in Teaching Award, and her continued commitment to students has now earned her university-wide recognition.
For McIntyre, the purpose of teaching ultimately comes back to helping students understand what they can do with what they learn. Regardless of their path, McIntyre wants students to leave UW-Stevens Point with the critical-thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills to make a difference.
Her 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes that commitment and the lasting impact of an educator who believes some of the best learning happens when students can see, experience, and apply what they are being taught.