John Lawrence’s message from Oct. 22, 2019
Congratulations to Kim Greder and the ISU Extension and Outreach work teams who provide the “Juntos Para Una Mejor Educación” and “Abriendo Caminos” programs in Iowa. They will receive the 2019 National Extension Diversity Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The award recognizes significant contributions and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity and pluralism and will be presented Nov. 10 during APLU’s 132nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Did you know? Kim is a professor in human development and family studies and a family life extension state specialist. She was a principal investigator for the grants supporting both programs and brought extension staff together with their community partners for planning and implementation. She’s quick to note that collaboration of extension staff, faculty, students and community partners was key to both programs’ success. Read the news release to learn more about the program and everyone involved in this award-winning work to meet the needs of Latino families in Iowa.
We also congratulate several human sciences specialists and faculty who recently were recognized by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
- Distinguished Service Award: Vera Stokes, nutrition and wellness.
- Continued Excellence Award: Brenda Schmitt, family finance.
- Greenwood Frysinger Award (professional growth opportunity): Sara Sprouse, nutrition and wellness.
- Excellence in Multi State Collaboration Award (national first place winner): Shannon Coleman, assistant professor and food safety state specialist, co-lead of seven-state team.
- Communications Award, Internet Education Technology (national third place winner, regional first place winner): Lori Hayungs, Mackenzie Johnson, Mackenzie DeJong and Barb Dunn Swanson, family life.
- Barbara Wollan and Brenda Schmitt, family finance, presented “Finances of Caregiving: Workshop Series for Families” at the NEAFCS national meeting.
Goodbye … and welcome
In September, we said goodbye to the following individuals who left ISU Extension and Outreach:
- Cindy Brunholtz, Monroe County, AmeriCorps.
- Andrea Irlbeck, Carroll County youth coordinator.
- Kelly Phillips, Lucas County youth coordinator.
- Deborah Coates, manager information technology II, Extension IT.
- Michael White, field specialist III, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Janet Martin, field specialist III, 4-H Youth Development.
We welcome the following new staff:
- Sara Gillum, Wayne County youth coordinator.
- Addi Knapp, Wapello County, AmeriCorps/4-H.
- Haley Mostaert, Cedar County 4-H program coordinator.
- Lucy Hough, West Pottawattamie County Ready Set Know program coordinator.
- Kristen Bieret, Shelby County office assistant.
- Andy Kraber, Marion County director.
- Alesha Roll, Woodbury County INN grant director/4-H program assistant.
- Misty Sanderson, Buena Vista County office assistant.
- Samuel Genson, Clinton County director.
- Sarah Debour, Cerro Gordo County director/ANR coordinator.
- Kendall Fate, Johnson County after school mentoring coordinator.
More notes
- Agriculture continues to be the deadliest industry in the United States and when harvest is behind schedule, the potential for danger increases. Professor and extension safety specialist Chuck Schwab and our Safe Farm program help make Iowa farms a safer place to work and live, not only during harvest, but all year long. Check the website for research, training materials, publications and other resources you can use to expand farm safety knowledge and awareness.
- The Natural Resources Team is launching a new internal newsletter for extension educators in all program areas. Natural Resources News will help you learn about and promote resources and programs about soil, water, wildlife, and forest conservation and education. If you’re interested in receiving the newsletter, sign up at this link. For more information, contact Adam Janke (ajanke@iastate.edu) or Jamie Benning (benning@iastate.edu).
- Internal applicants are invited for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences position of Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach and ISU Extension Program Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The announcement has been posted to Iowa State’s jobs for internal applicants site.
- Dr. Lindsey Shirley, associate director of extension service and associate provost for university outreach and engagement at Oregon State University, is guest speaker for a Human Sciences Extension and Outreach special First Thursday Webinar, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. Join the presentation in person at 2622 Lagomarcino or by Zoom when Shirley speaks of innovative strategies for land grant universities that lead to new connections, partnerships, and career advancement.
— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach