Virginia State University ( VSU ) announces the appointment of Dr. Janine Parker Woods as its newfangled associate administrator for Virginia Cooperative Extension programming , effective Oct. 12 , 2020 .
Sir Henry Joseph Wood antecedently served as interim program leader for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit with conjunctive Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ( NC A&T SU ) , and developed and lead regional , statewide little farm product workshops . She also dish up as co - chair for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Local Foods Program Team ’s Economic Impacts Work Group ; president elect for the North Carolina Association of Extension Specialists ; and Chief Executive for the Joint Council of Extension Professionals .
“ We are delighted to have Dr. Woods unite our team . Her proved leadership accomplishment and thorough cognition of Extension program both nationally and internationally make her an asset to Cooperative Extension and to the College of Agriculture , ” said Dr. M. Ray McKinnie , VSU College of Agriculture Dean/1890 Extension executive . As associate administrator of programming , Woods will bring home the bacon supervision to Extension specializer at VSU ; help specialists formulate their design of body of work ; serve as a affaire between Cooperative Extension at VSU and Virginia Tech ( VT ) and create chance for quislingism ; assist in make grow strategies and processes for Extension ; and improve operational effectivity and efficiencies . “As a millennial , Dr. Woods will play fresh ideas to attract younger interview to agricultural life history and will also help raise the collaborationism between Extension specialists and agents and ensure our program are adjust with Cooperative Extension ’s mission , ” McKinnie added . “ We welcome Dr. Woods to VSU and expect onward to her reach significant contributions . ”Woods earned a doctorate in agriculture and communication from the University of Florida . She earned both a master ’s degree in factory farm economic science and a bachelor ’s academic degree in stage business direction and economics from NC A&T. Woods also served in the Peace Corps for a little over two years , and worked in Guatemala as a sustainable agriculture merchandising unpaid worker , where she assisted coffee growers in meliorate their production , operation and food market accesses .
“ I ’m charge to have an chance to serve Virginia State University and Virginians and to grow as an Extension loss leader to avail the College of Agriculture advance its charge , ” Woods said .
wood wants to engage untested audience to consider career in USDA . “ There are many diverse career opportunity in the field for woman and minorities , but often people only associate agriculture with agriculture , ” she said . wood hopes to throw off more light on urban Agriculture Department , alternative agriculture system and building stronger local food system . “ One affair that COVID-19 has shown us is a need for secure local nutrient scheme , ” Woods added . She also wants to verify that Cooperative Extension is more recognizable as a imagination for Virginians . USDA impacts almost every aspect of our lives , and too often she hears the phrase that “ Cooperative Extension is a well - keep secret . ” She desire to change that mindset by helping to develop and elevate programs that make Cooperative Extension a family word in rural and urban community .
For more selective information : www.ext.vsu.edu
