Dec. 9, 2020
Extension Service honors excellence, innovation among peers
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Mary Poling, interactive communications coordinator, named Employee of the Year
- Agents, administrators and associates across the state honored for innovative work
(683 words)
(Newsrooms: With file art from the 2019 Extension Excellence Awards at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJLg5aX)
(Download this story in MS Word format here.)
LITTLE ROCK — Faculty and staff at the Cooperative Extension Service found innovative ways to reach Arkansans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that has dominated much of 2020 — from creating virtual learning opportunities to social media outreach to technology use, including a project to collect precision farm data that allow farmers to better track their progress.
The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recognized the efforts and excellence of employees at the state and county levels during the service’s annual employee conference on Dec. 7. This year’s conference was held virtually, in observance of pandemic precautions.
Bob Scott, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, commended this year’s winners, who were nominated and selected by their peers.
“This year we saw innovative approaches by individual employees and team efforts led by faculty and staff at the Cooperative Extension Service,” Scott said. “All of them have found innovative ways to serve Arkansans through programs and services during a year or unprecedented challenges.”
Mary Poling, coordinator of interactive communications in information technology, was named extension’s 2020 Employee of the Year. Poling played a pivotal role in helping employees take programs and presentations online through the Zoom platform.
“Mary's can-do attitude, attention to detail, and knowledge of the virtual world of training and meetings exemplifies excellence within extension,” Scott said. “With all the challenges faced this past year, Mary has been key to our successful navigation through this different world of extension education.”
This year’s winners include the following:
Early Career Award - Classified Employee: Andrea Price, associate for administration in Community, Professional and Economic Development.
Early Career Award - County Extension Faculty: Terrell Davis, Pike County, Staff Chair
Early Career Award - State Extension Faculty: Matt Fryer, soil health instructor in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Early Career Award - Program Technician/Associate: Emily Smith, program associate in Community, Professional and Economic Development
Early Career Award - Project/Program Administrator: Karen Watt DiCicco, digital and information technology innovation manager.
County Team Award – At Home with UAEX. Family and consumer science agents from several counties developed content for a new virtual learning project, At Home with UAEX. The project includes webpages on extension’s website, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and newsletters in electronic and print formats. Agents include Rachel Chaney, Yell County; Katie Cullum, White County; Kristal Draper, Hot Spring County; Carla Due, Miller County; Heather Jackson, Pike County; Amy Monk, Montgomery County; JoAnn Vann, Clark County; and Shea Wilson, Prairie County.
State Team Award – Communications Team for rapid response to COVID-19. Team members include Chris Meux and Julie Thompson, design specialists; Ricky Blair and Kerry Rodtnick, videographers; Emily Davis and Oliver Williams, publication specialists; Ryan McGeeney, content specialist; Tracy Courage, director of communications-extension; and Mary Hightower, chief communications officer, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Scholarship Recipients
Five extension employees received scholarship awards to assist them in furthering their education and professional skills.
Lynn R. Russell Endowed Award of Professional Excellence – Terrika Edwards, administrative specialist II for the Pulaski County extension office. Edwards is working toward a Master of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Mildred and Liz Childs Professional Development Fund Scholarship – Mary Beth Groce, Faulkner County extension agent for family and consumer sciences. The scholarship enabled Groce to attend the 2020 Conway Area Leadership Institute.
Cooperative Extension Retiree Scholarships
Melanie Berman, program director for the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center received a scholarship to attend a project management professional exam prep course.
Mississippi County 4-H Agent Elizabeth Easley received a scholarship to continue her education. She is pursuing a Master of Education in Human Resources and Workforce Development at the University of Arkansas.
JoAnn Vann, County Extension Agent - Family & Consumer Sciences, Clark County (Ouachita District). She is attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and working towards a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Extension Education.
Extension also recognized employees for service milestones for five years of service and higher. Four employees were recognized for 40 years of service:
- Susan James – Information Technology
- Debra Schneider (retired) – Crawford County
- Branon Thiesse – Craighead County
- Sharon Treat — Phillips County
To learn more about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu