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Illinois Extension’s new strategic priorities and initiatives revealed in town hall event

Icons for Illinois Extension's eight strategic priorities

URBANA, Ill. — A bold vision, eight strategic priorities and signature initiatives, and a continued commitment to locally responsive programming are the hallmarks of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Extension’s new, 10-year strategic plan: “Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Impact.”

Throughout 2023 and early 2024, Illinois Extension, in partnership with Huron Consulting Group, engaged in a comprehensive planning process to refine and refresh its core priorities, goals, and paths to success through internal and external stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions statewide. The research yielded vital findings around Extension’s engagement, services, partnerships, and impact and identified shifting trends, demographics, and needs that will impact Illinois residents. 

Extension now embarks on a new chapter of service as it further extends the land-grant mission of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. All are invited to join a Zoom-based “town hall” event featuring Associate Dean and Illinois Extension Director Shelly Nickols-Richardson and members of Extension’s Strategic Planning and Implementation team to learn about the plan and its’ eight strategic priorities: community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence, and their associated signature initiatives. 

Meeting Details
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m.
Calendar reminder
Zoom link 

STRATEGIC PLANNING INQUIRIES: Contact Bobbie Jo Lewis-Sibley, 217-300-9291

WRITER: Bridget Lee-Calfas, director of marketing and communications, Illinois Extension

About Extension

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.