We believe in NELD

John Lawrence’s message from Jan. 28, 2019

From now through September, Jennifer Bentley, Himar Hernandez and Courtney Long will be representing ISU Extension and Outreach in the 2019 National Extension Leadership Development program. Jennifer is a dairy field specialist, Himar is assistant director for Community and Economic Development, and Courtney is local foods program coordinator with CED. By the time you read this message, they will be in Chicago for the first of four NELD seminars, where they’ll be taking a close look at their own role as a leader. University of Minnesota Extension heads the delivery of the NELD Program in the North Central Region this year, as it has since 2011. Did you know?

  • NELD provides the opportunity for extension professionals to learn, apply and reflect on new effective leadership, organizational collaboration, and change concepts and strategies.
  • NELD programming consists of four sessions, including one international cultural immersion experience. In April, the participants will head to Costa Rica for “Entering the Realm of the Other.”
  • In July they’ll head to Washington, D.C., for “Leading in a Shared Power World.” Then in September they’ll be in the Twin Cities area “Integrating Leadership for Change.”

NELD’s mission is to build leaders in Cooperative Extension at all levels and provide them with the vision, courage, and tools to lead in a changing world. Participants are selected because of their proven track record of programmatic or administrative success. The program helps the individuals who participate, but the greater benefit is to our Cooperative Extension System nationwide. NELD builds the leadership capacity of our extension professionals; increases the understanding of extension work at local, state, national and international levels; and strengthens the national Cooperative Extension network. That’s why we believe in NELD.

Transition for EIT
Mike Mauton has been named manager of Extension Information Technology and will begin transitioning into his new duties immediately. Current manager Deb Coates, who is beginning phased retirement, will continue working halftime until September 2019. During the next seven months, Deb will be mentoring Mike as he assumes many of the administrative duties that come with the post.

Mike earned his undergraduate degree in management information systems and history, secondary teaching license, and MBA from Iowa State. He first worked for ISU Extension and Outreach as a student on the computer support hotline. After teaching junior high in Cedar Falls, he returned to Extension IT. He has served as a support specialist, hotline supervisor, network administrator, systems administrator, infrastructure team lead and part-time department manager. We welcome Mike to his new role and are excited about this transition for our outstanding Extension IT staff.

More notes

  • There’s still time to register for Annual Conference, set for Feb. 28. Room blocks are being held at three Ames hotels; reserve your room by Feb. 7 to get the conference rate.
  • The Structured for Success committee met Jan. 22. Check the website for a video report and notes from the meeting.
  • The Iowa Extension Council Association and 4-H Legislative Day is Feb. 13. Council members and senior 4-H members will meet with legislators, tour the World Food Prize building, network with one another and participate in educational activities. The registration deadline is Feb. 1.
  • Poverty and Food Needs profiles are available by county from the Iowa Community Indicators Program website. The profiles (dated June 2018) provide county-level information related to poverty, participation in food and nutrition assistance programs, and other food-related health and economic measures. For more information, contact Kim Greder, kgreder@iastate.edu, or Liesl Eathington, leathing@iastate.edu.

— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach

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