Extension Updates
I wish all of you a happy new year as we move forward positively on the transformations we discussed during Extension’s Professional Development Conference in December. I was especially pleased to start the new year by announcing Angie Abbott’s appointment as associate dean of agriculture and director of Extension.
Angie’s involvement in Extension began when she joined 4-H. Now, she understands Extension at the level and with the passion of someone who has dedicated over 20 years of her career and life to fulfilling its mission.
Angie earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Creighton University. She began her career in Extension as a director and Extension specialist for the Nutrition Education Programs. That led to her appointment to leadership positions for Health and Human Sciences Extension and then to assistant dean in 2017.
She served as interim associate dean during the last two years as Extension underwent an internal strategic review process. As Angie always does, she put Extension first during this time period, focusing on leading and joining her colleagues down the path to forming regional teams throughout the state. With that process initiated, it was time for us to secure Angie’s future as Extension’s leader.
As Angie has commented, “Together we can build on Purdue Extension’s strong foundation, expand our reach, and advance innovative approaches to support our youth, farmers, families and communities.”
At the end of last year Angie made an important decision on how to build on Extension’s foundation by determining how 4-H will be led during this transition. Jamie Morris and Danielle Lay are now serving as Co-Interim 4-H Program Leaders. Courtney Stierwalt is serving as Interim 4-H Partnership Coordinator, supporting partnerships with the Indiana State Fair Board, FFA, livestock-related initiatives and Career Development Events.
I look forward to working with Angie and all of you as we continue to launch a regional team strategy to ensure that our programs remain as strong and impactful as they have for over 100 years.
Thank you for all you do for Extension and Indiana.
Bernie Engel
Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture
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