July 24, 2018
A Note from the Associate Director for Extension Programs
Wait… you may be thinking, “Who’s that?” “I’ve never heard of an Associate Director for Extension Programs.” Or, maybe you read (I am sure you did!) the Tuesday Letter of a few weeks ago announcing some changes at the administrative level for KSRE! As Gregg pointed out, because of the recent budget reduction (coming on top of years of previous reductions), we had to change our structure somewhat.
So, here we are. My role is changing. It will be an evolution over time and I will need everyone’s help in making it work in a way that helps us all. I have been in the role of Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences for 18 years and have enjoyed being the supporter, promoter, advocate, communicator, etc, for the work of our agents and specialists in FCS. As my role expands, and as I learn more about the work in each program area, I hope to be that strong voice for all programs.
I truly believe that KSRE has valuable, impactful programming in all four of our core areas. In all parts of our state, we provide leadership in communities to help improve the lives of the people who live there. We deliver great education to our clientele in many ways and in ways that may vary somewhat depending on if we are teaching about crop production or nutrition, youth development or leadership, family finances or farm management…to name a few. We do effective individual consultations, group meetings and interactions, club and project work, collaborations with other professionals, and more. We also work with others at the local level to build healthy, strong communities.
So, how can one director for programs cover all of this? The short answer is, “I can’t,” at least not in the way that we have become accustomed. We will have to do things differently. To help with some of this, we will be appointing specialists in part-time Program Leader Coordinator roles in three of our core areas (ANR, FCS and Community Vitality). We have developed a position description for those roles and are only waiting for word on the process. Some of the key responsibilities of these positions include: screening appropriate agent applications, participating in monthly meetings with me and the other program leader chairs to strategize cross-program collaborations, chairing specialist or program leader meetings, participation in NCR program leader meetings, and participating in our program development training of new faculty. We won’t be appointing someone to do this in 4-H, as that group is covered already with Wade Weber in the role of program leader.
This will be a time of learning for me, with a steep curve in some areas! But, as you know, the issues in today’s world are very complex and they need complex solutions. KSRE and our partners have identified five grand challenges for Kansas that our Extension efforts can help resolve. This new model of leadership could help in our ability to address the grand challenges in cross cutting ways. I hope that in this new role, I will be able to help facilitate cross-program collaborations that are important to more effectively address the issues.
While I know many of you already, it will take a little time to get to know the rest… and for you to get to know me. I look forward to your help in finding ways for this to happen. I also ask for your patience with me as I learn about the breadth of our programming. You will be my best resources!!