Staff

What we believe.

Body

We follow the Principles of Good Practice from the Community Development Society as we develop and deliver programs across Illinois to address current issues and community needs. As we strengthen communities, we:

  • Promote active and representative participation toward enabling all community members to meaningfully influence the decisions that affect their lives.
  • Engage community members in learning about and understanding community issues, and the economic, social, environmental, political, psychological, and other impacts associated with alternative courses of action.
  • Incorporate the diverse interests and cultures of the community in the community development process, and disengage from support of any effort that is likely to adversely affect the disadvantaged members of a community.
  • Work actively to enhance the leadership capacity of community members, leaders, and groups within the community.
  • Be open to using the full range of action strategies to work toward the long-term sustainability and well-being of the community.

We're Here to Help

Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader

Mark White

Mark White

Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development
Keywords
Community Development
Economic Development
(217) 333-7951

Extension Specialsts, Educators, and Program Staff

Zachary Kennedy

Zachary Kennedy

Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
Keywords
Community Development
Community Planning
Economic Development
217-244-2849
Russell Medley

Russell Medley

Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Business Development
Business Retention and Expansion
Civic Engagement
Community Development
Community Planning
Community Resiliency
Consumer Economics
Disaster Preparedness
Economic Development
EDEN Ready Business
Entrepreneurship
Leadership Development
Local Government
Poverty
Resilience
Workforce Development
(217) 300-0886
Susan Odum

Susan Odum

Community and Economic Development Specialist
Keywords
Community Development
Business Development
Economic Development
217-300-9410
Richard Proffer's staff photo

Richard Proffer

Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Community Development
Business Development
Business Retention and Expansion
Civic Engagement
Community Development
Community Planning
Community Resiliency
Downtown Development
Economic Development
Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Leadership Development
Local Government
Marketing
Meeting Management
Poverty
Team Building
Workforce Development
(309) 543-3308
Nancy Ouedraogo

Nancy Ouedraogo

Extension State Specialist, Community Economic Development
Keywords
Local Government
Community Development
Community Planning
217-244-7020
Laura Payne

Laura Payne

Professor, Extension Specialist, Director of the Office of Recreation & Park Resources (ORPR)
Keywords
Community Planning
Community Development
217-333-4410