|
 Extension has a local presence in every Illinois county,
allowing it to seamlessly link communities, businesses, and the
public to the innovative research of the university and its
partners. A regional network provides support for the
organization’s 650 staff members.
Recently, Extension announced the permanent hire of three
assistant directors for the geographic regions, all of whom are
current Extension professional that have been elevated to help
guide the essential mission at hand. Durriyyah Kemp will serve
as assistant director to the northernmost and northeast
counties. Janice McCoy will serve as assistant director for the
northwest and west central Illinois counties. Doug Harlan will
serve as assistant director for the central and southern
counties.
The three assistant directors began their new roles Aug. 1.
“Illinois Extension leaders work with a network of local
stakeholders to define annual priorities that allow us to
respond to evolving and emerging needs while still ensuring
meaningful progress toward key outcomes,” says Illinois
Extension director and associate dean in the College of
Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Shelly Nickols-Richardson.
“This blend of long-range focus and local accountability is a
powerful strategy that ensures we stay true to our mission while
we serve communities across the state.
"Durriyyah, Janice, and Doug have years of dedicated service to
Illinois Extension, and I look forward to the innovative work
they’ll achieve in their new roles.”
Durriyyah Kemp
Kemp joined Extension in 2006, first serving in youth
development and later in social and emotional learning. She is
certified in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
and has trained Extension staff in cultural awareness and human
behavior to create inclusive and cooperative work environments.
Kemp serves on the National Urban Extension Leaders steering
committee, as well as the Extension Committee on Organization
and Policy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion action team.
“Extension staff members are fully invested in learning and
understanding the needs of the unique communities they serve,”
Kemp says. “Our staff delivers information-rich experiences
transforming how communities look and feel and how individuals
live and work.”
Kemp says a priority will be to create new funding streams to
elevate Extension work in the region and establish deeper
connections to people and communities.
“County-based staff need the resources and encouragement to
thrive and remain on the cutting edge of community needs” Kemp
says. “As assistant director, I must ensure the environment is
ripe with support for sustainable excellence.”
Kemp will oversee in 15 counties, spanning from Jo Daviess to
Kankakee and including Cook County, in the north and northeast
region.
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Janice McCoy
McCoy’s Extension career began in 2001 as a family life educator
before transitioning to county director for Carroll, Lee, and
Whiteside counties. She is the current president of the Illinois
Epsilon Sigma Phi professional association chapter and has been an
active member of the National Extension Association of Family and
Consumer Sciences, receiving the Distinguished Service Award in
2014.
“My most important role as assistant director will be to ensure that
each of the ten units has a solid program plan that serves the needs
of their communities,” McCoy says. “Designing research-based
programs that improve the lives of individuals and communities is
the core mission of Extension, and our local counties are the point
of access.”
McCoy will oversee 39 counties in western and central Illinois.
“Extension is a tremendous resource for local communities,” McCoy
says. “We harness the groundbreaking research done in a myriad of
areas and make that useable for all people.”
Doug Harlan
Harlan began his Extension leadership career in 2001 as unit leader
for Moultrie and Douglas counties. Most recently, he served as
county director for DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties.
Harlan is past president of Illinois’ Epsilon Sigma Phi chapter and
a board member for the Joint Council of Extension Professionals.
“Extension plays a vital role of bringing research-based educational
information to the citizens of the communities in the region,”
Harlan says, “but, more importantly, Extension serves as the key
community partner that connects and facilitates community
collaborations that improve food access, positive youth development,
community gardening, conservation activities, healthy living, and
much, much more.”
Harlan will oversee Extension programs in the state’s 48 central and
southern counties.
“As assistant director, my most important role will be to serve as
the communications conduit from the field staff in the region to the
program leaders and specialist on campus,” Harlan says. “I am the
voice for the region with the Extension Leadership Team.”
ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach
for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans
that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to
solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and
opportunities.
[University of Illinois Extension] |
