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

Michael Delany
Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Economic Development
Workforce Development
Community Development
Entrepreneurship
Poverty
815-732-2191

Dustin Fritsche
Community and Economic Development Program Coordinator
Keywords
Community Planning
EDEN Ready Business
Leadership
Leadership Development
Local Government
Navigating Difference
Poverty
Real Colors
Volunteers
Workforce Development
217-452-3211

Zachary Kennedy
Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
Keywords
Community Development
Community Planning
Economic Development
217-244-2849

Michelle Kim
Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Workforce Development
Communication
Marketing
Leadership
Leadership Development
(309) 342-5108

Tiffany Macke
Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Community Development
Economic Development
Communication
Marketing
(217) 826-5422

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
Community and Economic Development Specialist
Keywords
Community Development
Business Development
Economic Development
217-300-9410

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

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

Jennifer Russell
Community and Economic Development Educator
Keywords
Workforce Development
Community Planning
Economic Development
EDEN Ready Business
Poverty
Real Colors
Workforce Development
217-942-6996