PEKIN, Ill. - Thanks to an extensive background in leadership development, event planning, and financial services, Kerry Keating was able to jump into her new role with a powerful start during the busiest time of the year in University of Illinois Extension programming. At the end of June, Kerry began as Extension county director, serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties.
“I have decades of experience in higher education,” commented Kerry. “Primarily, I have worked in student engagement, retention, learning outcomes development, and assessment, with plenty of time spent managing budgets and coordinating events. I can see as county director, I am going to be drawing from all of my past experiences.”
Kerry earned her MBA from Columbia College of Missouri and received her Equestrian Science undergraduate degree from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. A native of New Hampshire, Kerry was happy to relocate back to the Midwest in 2023 to be closer to family.
Most recently, Kerry worked for University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. While there, “I oversaw accreditation for three large Fellowship Programs with 70 clinical faculty and 32 fellows,” Kerry explained. “That included oversight of all administrative processes, budget management, curriculum development, research and scholarly activity, and the selection, recruitment, and onboarding of all new incoming Fellows.”
Her professional experiences also included roles at University of New England, University System of New Hampshire, Columbia College, and Moberly Area Community College.
Kerry spent the summer connecting with stakeholders at 4-H Shows and Extension events, assisting with the Mason office move, presenting the new budget to county boards, and building her knowledge of Extension staff and programs. She assumed the role following the retirement of Earl Allen, who served as county director for 20 years.
“I have met with Earl several times and he has helped make the transition go smoothly,” Kerry commented. “I am passionate about serving others and connecting with people to build stronger communities. We have a fabulous team of staff, volunteers, and supporters in our unit. I am excited to see the impact we will continue to make.”
When not working, you will find Kerry in the woods with her rambunctious cattle dog, puttering in her gardens, spending time with family, and volunteering.
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.