URBANA, Ill. — Newly named Illinois Extension County Director Susan Sloop is motivated to create an impact in Clark, Crawford, and Edgar counties across all eight areas of Illinois Extension’s strategic plan: community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence. University of Illinois Extension Assistant Director for Region 3, Doug Harlan, shares, “Sloop brings a wealth of Extension experience, including a strong knowledge of the communities in the unit. She has demonstrated strong leadership skills, is an empathetic listener, and is a results-driven problem solver. I am excited to have Susan in this leadership position.”
In her new role as the county director, Sloop will lead staff and volunteers in making significant impacts that benefit all residents of the counties they serve. Sloop will manage the unit operations, including personnel, budget and finance, program planning, and impact reporting. Sloop said of the new role, “I am honored to take on the role of county director and build upon the strong foundation laid by our dedicated team. Together, we will enhance community connections, promote collaboration, and develop innovative programs that make a positive impact and create new opportunities for growth.”
Since joining the University of Illinois Extension in 2015, Sloop has significantly contributed to local programming as a family life educator and later as a 4-H youth development educator. Her efforts have focused on early childhood development, healthy aging, and family resilience, aligning with the Extension’s mission to enhance the lives of Illinois residents. As an Extension specialist with the State 4-H Office, Susan has worked to expand access to 4-H programs statewide, fostering leadership and essential life skills among youth. She holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University and a post-baccalaureate elementary education teaching certificate from Western Governors University.
More information about Illinois Extension serving Clark, Crawford, and Edgar Counties can be found online at extension.illinois.edu/cce.
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.