January 24, 2023
New K-State Research and Extension Tribal Liaison and Tribal Food Systems Coordinator
K-State Research and Extension has a new Tribal Liaison and Tribal Food Systems Coordinator, Janis Simon.
Janis is a member of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and grew up on the Kickapoo reservation with her dad, mom, and eight siblings. She graduated from Baker University in the early 80’s. She has decades of experience working with tribal programs from government, grant writing, managerial and frontline worker to promote the betterment of tribal communities.
In her role as Tribal Liaison, she will act as a liaison between tribal communities and K-State Research and Extension professionals for impactful alignment of priorities, link university resources to local issues and work to develop a sustainability plan to achieve long term goals. As the Tribal Food Systems Coordinator, Janis will work to coordinate the development and execution of the Tribal Food Systems project through Kansas SNAP-Ed to increase access to culturally appropriate nutrition education and access to healthy foods. Janis will also work with community partners, tribal groups and coalitions to promote, implement and support community-based interventions through policy, systems and environmental change initiatives and determine food system priorities and implementation strategies.
Janis will be working remotely from her home office but does have a landing space in the Meadowlark District Holton Office. Her email is jjanis@ksu.edu. Please join me in welcoming Janis to the K-State Research and Extension family!