Contact: Joe Farris
Mississippi State is co-aligning the statewide MSU Extension Service with the university's Division of Continuing Education to help expand and better coordinate outreach efforts.
Both the MSU Extension Service and Continuing Education now report to the executive director of University Extension and Outreach. Extension Service director Joe McGilberry was appointed to the expanded position Oct. 1.
A proposed industrial outreach program also would be part of the new administrative structure, serving Mississippi's manufacturing and processing sector much as the Extension Service works with agricultural interests, business start-ups, and educational programs.
"Our goal is to make the university more responsive to communities, business and industry, and the citizens of the state," said President Charles Lee. "Mississippi State has a long tradition of bringing university resources and expertise to bear on local problems.
"We're working to broaden our understanding of state and regional needs, focus outreach where it can make a difference, and take a more comprehensive and efficient approach to engagement with our constituents," Lee said. The extension and outreach director reports jointly to the university's vice president for agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine and to the provost and vice president for academic affairs. The director, the two vice presidents and the president will meet regularly as a management committee to determine the direction of outreach efforts. Both internal and external advisory committees also will be formed.
University Extension and Outreach will coordinate with the eight academic colleges and other units on campus to direct requests for assistance to the area of greatest expertise and take a university-wide approach to using technology to connect with outreach clients, McGilberry said.
The MSU Extension Service has for almost a century been providing informal education throughout the state in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, youth development, and enterprise and community development. The Division of Continuing Education provides both credit and non-credit courses through distance learning, workshops, correspondence, and other methods.
McGilberry has been director of the MSU Extension Service since July 2001. He has worked with extension economic development efforts since 1978, including 10 years as head of the Enterprise and Community Resource Development program.
He played a key role in the restructuring of the Extension Service over the past two years, establishing a delivery system consisting of a core staff in each county with access to area agents in 14 program focus areas throughout the state.
McGilberry completed a doctorate at Texas A&M University, a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in industrial engineering, and a bachelor's degree from Auburn University in industrial management.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information on the new office of University Extension and Outreach, contact Dr. McGilberry at (662) 325-3036 or joem@ext.msstate.edu .