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 Both share a passion for diversity in agriculture and
food equity and will further support the organization’s diversity,
equity, and inclusion efforts.
A Georgia native and 4-H alumnus, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree
in agronomy from Fort Valley State College, a master’s degree in
crop physiology from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in
crop physiology from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He began
his academic career as a faculty member at the University of
Minnesota in 1978 where he spent 34 years before becoming the
president of the University at Albany, one of SUNY system’s leading
research universities. Jones now serves as the first
African-American chancellor of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign campus.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the first step in my career was
joining my local 4-H club,” Jones says. “Those meetings were the
first organized events in my life, outside of church or school, and
they set me on a course that changed the trajectory of my life.”
Jones says he believes the 4-H mission is even more vital and
critical today when limited access to childhood educational
opportunities leads to unacceptable upper limits on a life and
career.
“I found educational opportunities that opened up a world that I
never knew existed,” Jones says. “4-H taught me to dream big, and it
is my privilege to be able to pay that gift forward today,” added
Jones.
Jones is an experienced and accomplished scientist and researcher, a
member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a fellow of
the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of
America. During his distinguished, 34-year career at Minnesota,
Jones had administrative and budgetary responsibilities for the
offices for public engagement, equity and diversity, and played a
leadership role in establishing the nation’s first urban research
and outreach engagement center which was designed to help find a
solution to complex challenges in economically depressed urban
communities. The center was named in Jones’ honor in 2015.
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Celebrity chef, cookbook author, and Tennessee 4-H alumna, Carla
Hall, was introduced to television audiences as a competitor on Bravo’s Top Chef
and Top Chef: All Stars. She co-hosted ABC’s lifestyle series The Chew for over
seven years and currently serves as a culinary contributor on Good Morning
America.
In addition to her television appearances, Hall hosts a podcast on the Wondery
Platform called Say Yes, with Carla Hall. Hall’s latest cookbook, Carla Hall’s
Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, received the NAACP Image Awards nomination.
Hall’s passion for diversity in food culture, agriculture, and equity in food
access is rooted in her philosophy that food connects us all.
“As a chef, I have an opportunity to share my passion for food and mindful
cooking with the world,” says Hall. “I’m excited to continue my work with 4-H in
this new role and join their efforts to empower all young people as they
navigate the effects of the ongoing pandemic, digital divide, and widening
opportunity gap.”
As trustees, both Hall and Jones will support National 4-H Council’s strategic
priorities, which include growing investment and participation in Cooperative
Extension’s 4-H program from six million to 10 million youth by 2025, as well as
a collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“As passionate advocates for young people, agriculture, and promoting diversity,
equity, and inclusion, both Dr. Jones and Ms. Hall will move us even closer to
our goal of providing all children with the opportunities they deserve so they
can reach their full potential,” says Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of
National 4-H Council. “Our new trustees’ expertise will help us to drive
National 4-H Council’s new campaign, Opportunity4All, which aims to rally
support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and eliminate the opportunity
gap that affects 55 million kids across America.”
[SOURCE: Pei Cheng/Samantha Koon] |
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