MARION, Ill. – Robin Ridgley, a University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions with both state and national accolades. She recently received a third place national Florence Hall Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) for her work on the Community Seminar Series project.
The Florence Hall Award is presented for an outstanding program conducted by one or more NEAFCS members who have been alert in recognizing new concerns and interests of families and have involved people in planning and implementing programs that benefit families.
The Community Seminar Series—which began in 2020—offers 6–10 webinars three times a year, each featuring presentations by graduate students or postdoctoral researchers. Before their seminars, presenters are paired with Extension mentors, like Ridgley, who guide them through creating their presentations and serve as moderators. The series reaches audiences across Illinois and the U.S., offering practical insights into a wide range of health-related topics. To register for the latest series, visit go.illinois.edu/CSS-Autumn2024.
In addition to her national recognition, Ridgley and her team earned the College of ACES Team Award for Excellence for their role in the Illinois Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (IFRSAN). This initiative, part of the larger 12-state North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center, focuses on supporting farmers and agricultural workers through stress management and mental health programming. For more information, visit farmstress.org.
Ridgley’s dedication extends to Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph and Williamson counties, where she provides vital programming on family relationships, aging, caregiving, and overall well-being.
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.