URBANA, Ill. — Newly named Illinois Extension County Director Katie Buckley is motivated to create an impact in Livingston, McLean, and Woodford counties across all five of Illinois Extension’s grand challenges: community, economy, environment, food, and health. University of Illinois Extension Assistant Director, Region 2, Janice McCoy, shares, “Buckley brings a strong background in K-12 education and has successfully directed the county offices through significant changes in the past year. She has demonstrated strong leadership skills, is an empathetic listener, and is a results-driven problem solver.”

In her new role as the county director, Buckley will lead staff and volunteers in making significant impacts that benefit all residents of the counties they serve. Buckley will manage the unit operations including personnel, budget and finance, program planning, and impact reporting. Buckley said of the new role, “I am excited to build new partnerships to advance the work of Extension and am eager to make sure that everyone knows that Extension is available right here in their community.”

Buckley brings 16 years of experience in education to this role. She holds a Bachelor of Science in special education and a Master of Science in social work from Illinois State University; she has worked with students with special needs and has developed science, technology, engineering, and math programming across multiple grade levels. Throughout her career in public education, Buckley has funded STEM programs by acquiring more than $50,000 in grants and donations. Buckley was also named the 2019 Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.

More information about Illinois Extension serving Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties can be found online at extension.illinois.edu/lmw.

WRITER/SOURCE: Janice McCoy, Assistant Director, Region 2, Illinois Extension