Christen Burgett hails from Bismarck, North Dakota. Her passion for dairy cattle began when she started showing dairy cattle in the sixth grade. Christen earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Animal Science from North Dakota State University. In fall 2012 Christen joined the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University (ISU) as a Lecturer; she recently was promoted to Associate Teaching Professor. Her appointment is 50% teaching and 50% academic advising. She teaches four courses and advises approximately 80 undergraduate students. She has taught more than 2,430 students. She coaches the ISU Dairy Judging Team and is a co-adviser of the 130-member Dairy Science Club. Christen co-led two study abroad trips, assists with departmental recruitment, and actively participates in many youth dairy programs. She has been a youth dairy cattle judge at the county and state levels in Iowa and North Dakota. Christen, her husband Russell and their son Noah raise Polypay sheep.