Staff FYI News

Seasons of Change

The fall season seems to have fully arrived in Illinois. Corn and soybeans are being harvested at a rapid pace, the Illini have entered the national college football conversation on Saturdays, and our mornings have taken on the chill that signals change is in the air.

Fall has always represented transition across our great state, and this particular season brings one for my family as well. We are thrilled to be settling into Champaign-Urbana and joining the College of ACES community. It’s an incredible honor to serve as your associate dean and director of Illinois Extension.

I cannot express enough how excited I am to begin this journey with you. Illinois Extension has a rich legacy of service, discovery, and connection, and I look forward to learning from your experiences, hearing your ideas, and building upon the positive momentum already underway.

Over the next few months, my focus will be on listening, visiting our units, and engaging with our many internal and external partners. Together, we will strengthen our shared commitment to making Extension a driving force for positive impact across Illinois.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to working alongside you as we embrace this new season!