March 23, 2021
Cindy Evans - Shawnee County Director to Retire April 16
Cindy Evans will retire April 16, after 31 years with K-State Research and Extension – Shawnee County. Evans joined KSRE in February 1990 as the supervising agent for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in Shawnee County. She was involved as one of the first ten Kansas counties selected to participate in the Family Nutrition Program grant.
Cindy transferred to the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent position in 1997. Her most impactful programs included:
*Radon Awareness and Risk Reduction, with over 10,000 Shawnee County homes being tested between 1998 and 2018. The local programming led to the Topeka City Council adopting an ordinance in 2007 that all new housing construction within the city limits would be built radon resistant.
*Be a Book Cook programs, which reached hundreds of young families teaching how to involve children safely in the kitchen. It also aimed to increase literacy by modeling how to read with children. The program received a 1st place national recognition from the Home Baking Association in 2001.
*From 2001 – 2004, she worked with partners to improve oral health by organizing an annual visit of the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures Dental Screening Van to elementary schools in Shawnee County. Over four years, 5,569 youth received dental screenings, identifying over 20% with mild to severe dental conditions and securing a dental home for many.
Evans also enjoyed her work as a Senior Health Insurance Counselor and in coordinating the Asset Building Coalition of Shawnee County, whose mission is “to provide free tax assistance, education and outreach.”
Evans became the Shawnee County Extension Director in 2015 switching her program focus area to Community Vitality. She coordinated the Shawnee StartUps e-Community, providing entrepreneurs with gap funding available through NetWork Kansas to start or expand a business.
During her Extension tenure, Evans received the Mentor Award, Builder Award and the Team award. Shawnee County Extension received the Outstanding Local Unit Award in 2015. She hopes to continue as a SHICK counselor and VITA tax volunteer in retirement.
Cindy wishes to express her gratitude to her Shawnee County staff and extension colleagues across the state for their friendship and support throughout her long career. Help us celebrate Cindy’s retirement by sending cards and well wishes to cevans@ksu.edu or her home address at 2205 SW Arvonia Place, Topeka, KS 66614.