Board Excellence Newsletter, April 2024
- From the director for extension: April 23 partnership meeting
- Search underway for western region extension director
- Program spotlight: 2022-2023 Making a Difference report
- Partnership meeting save the date
Extension Board Members are Encouraged to Participate in Extension and Engagement Conversations this Spring
Last September, K-State President Linton launched the Next-Gen Strategic Plan that outlines how the university will transform to lead the nation as a next-generation land grant university—setting the stage for inspiring learning, creativity, discovery and engagement that positively impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and around the world.
Later this spring, board members will have an opportunity to provide input into how extension and engagement can help K-State achieve the goals of the strategic plan. More than 75 conversations will be held statewide with stakeholders and community members. These meetings will be hosted by local KSRE units and will have participants ranging from current KSRE board members to those who are entirely unfamiliar with extension services. The conversations will delve into their needs and explore how K-State can engage them through enhanced extension and engagement programs.
Current extension board members are invited to share their input at the April 23 KSRE partnership meeting held at six locations around the state including Holton, Eureka, McPherson, Junction City, Dodge City and Oakley.
Insights gathered from these meetings will play a pivotal role in shaping the future strategies and investments of K-State’s engagement and extension efforts, including new opportunities for partnerships between KSRE and various colleges. We hope that you’ll be able to participate in these meetings.
Please register if you plan to participate in the KSRE partnership meeting on Tuesday, April 23 from 6–8 p.m. Registration is $20 per person paid by the local unit and is due by Friday, April 19.
Mary Sullivan will retire as the western region extension director on June 30. The search is underway to fill this upcoming vacancy.
The committee seeks your input to identify and recruit excellent candidates for this important role. Please consider colleagues at K-State and beyond who are qualified for this role and nominate them to our committee. You are also encouraged to pass the position description along to individuals and request they apply.
More information about the position, responsibilities and qualifications, and application instructions is located on the K-State Careers page for search #516942. For best consideration, applications are due by April 12.
The members of the search committee are:
- Aliesa Good - Chair, central regional director.
- Lacey Noterman, Walnut Creek District.
- Aaron Hyland, Rawlins County.
- Crystal Bashford, Morton County.
- Kristin Penner, Wild West District.
- Kurt Werth, Gray County.
- Sandy Johnson, Livestock Production specialist.
- Jonathan Aguilar, Water Resources specialist.
- Anne Lampe, western region State Extension Advisory Board member.
Be sure to check out the 2022-2023 Making a Difference annual report that highlights the impactful work of K-State Research and Extension. The goal of the report is to spotlight the dedication and hard work that extension professionals and volunteers conduct to better lives and help communities thrive throughout Kansas.
Last month, copies of the report were mailed to each county to share with local stakeholders. Additional copies can be ordered through the KSRE Bookstore and the PDF version can be downloaded at 2022-2023 Making a Difference Report Across Kansas.
