URBANA, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension is poised to have its first central facility in its 100+ year history by Spring of 2027. The high-impact, geographically dispersed organization serves the state as the outward-facing public good unit housed in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, campus and Extension leaders, advocates, and members of the project team gathered for a symbolic beam signing event to celebrate the ongoing progress of the Doris Kelley Christopher Illinois Extension Center, which was first announced in Fall 2021. Newly appointed Associate Dean and Director of Illinois Extension, Matthew Vann, celebrated the occasion, saying, “The Doris Kelley Christopher Illinois Extension Center represents the future of Extension programming, partnerships, and collaboration. Thanks to the vision and generosity of Doris Kelley Christopher, this facility will strengthen our ability to create lasting, positive impact for all residents across Illinois.”
The inception of the sleek and innovative 39,500 square-foot facility, nestled on a 7.8-acre site in the scenic environment of campus’ arboretum, will create a collaborative, sustainable hub for innovation. This tangible gateway to the university will further enable Illinois Extension staff to organize around its eight strategic priorities, deepen its institutional effectiveness, and fulfill its mission of “Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Impact” across programs in 4-H, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer sciences, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
This state-of-the-art facility, designed by Bailey Edward with construction management by Broeren Russo Builders, Inc., will include:
- Flexible classrooms and event space for community education
- Technology-enabled meeting rooms to support hybrid and remote engagement
- A demonstration kitchen and teaching garden to promote healthy living and food access
- Collaborative workspaces for Extension staff and partners
- Status as a LEED silver and WELL silver building
Christopher Extension Center will become a flagship site for University of Illinois Extension, serving as a launchpad statewide for new ideas, pilot programs, and community-based solutions.
Transformational Philanthropy
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Doris Kelley Christopher, University of Illinois alumna, former Extension agent, and founder of Pampered Chef, a bold vision for the future of Illinois Extension is becoming a reality. In 2021, Christopher committed a transformational gift of $45M to the future of Illinois Extension, an organization close to her heart from her own 4-H membership; time as a student in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; and her experience working for Extension early in her career. Christopher also supported the creation of the College of ACES’ Doris Kelley Christopher Hall on the east side of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus, which houses the Family Resiliency Center and The Autism Program of Illinois.
Signature Spaces That Enable Learning and Community Building
The Christopher Extension Center will feature three “jewel” spaces that will inspire research, learning, and collaboration. A media studio, a maker space, and a discovery kitchen will allow Extension educators and specialists to provide hands-on learning, high-quality training videos and educational materials, digital program delivery, and new ways to engage existing and emerging audiences across Extension’s six program areas.
Sustainability Minded
Illinois Extension’s mission is rooted in hands-on learning and continued growth in environmentally minded programming. The Christopher Extension Center’s intended status as a silver LEED-certified facility will deliver on a commitment to a healthier, energy-efficient, and cost-effective approach to construction. Likewise, its WELL silver certification indicates Extension’s health leadership for communities across the state and the building’s residents alike. The grounds surrounding the facility will feature gardens and other spaces for gathering, teaching, and implementing research-based best practices that benefit visitors and the natural world.
Indoor Collaborative Centers
Flexible, technology-equipped classrooms, conference rooms, and centers for gathering will enable Extension staff, partners, and campus colleagues to convene.
Project Partners
- Bailey Edward, Professional Service Consult, Architect, ID
- Site Design Group, Landscape Architect
- Hanson, Structural Engineer
- IMEG, MEP Engineering, Energy Modeling
- Rubinos & Mesia, Civil Engineering
- NV5, Audio Visual / Information Technology
- Broeren Russo Builders, Inc., Construction Manager
- Middleton Construction Consulting, Cost Consultant
Naming Opportunities
The facility will offer opportunities for lead sponsors to invest in the future of Illinois Extension through naming rights and other benefits. Contact Maggie Wave, assistant dean for advancement in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at wave1@illinois.edu.
INTERVIEWS / WRITER: Bridget Lee-Calfas, director of marketing and communications, Illinois Extension | bklee@illinois.edu | 217.333.6282
PHOTOGRAPHY: Download from Box, Photo Credit: Matt Wiley
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.