URBANA, Ill. — A committed mission, a bold vision, eight strategic priorities and signature initiatives, and an evergreen 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.” which launches in September 2024.

A Strategic Process

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.  

This process resulted in the refinement and creation of eight strategic priorities:

• Community: Support strong and resilient youth, families, and communities​.
• Economy: Grow a prosperous economy through lifelong learning and development.
• Environment: Sustain and restore natural resources in home and public spaces​.
• Food and Agriculture: Maintain a safe and accessible food, fibers, and biofuel supply.
• Health: Maximize health equity and access and support health promotion.
• Partnerships: Create and nurture strategic partnerships and share statewide resources to advance our mission and vision.
• Technology and Discovery: Integrate research, technology, and engagement to close opportunity gaps and build capacity.
• Workforce Excellence: Develop Illinois Extension staff and teams to advance collaborative impact and strengthen a culture of inclusiveness and belonging.

These priorities will be addressed by Extension’s staff members in strategic planning and implementation, workforce development, advancement, information technology, marketing and communications, government relations, program assessment, finance, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, as well as through Extension’s six program areas:

• 4-H Youth Development
• Agriculture and Agribusiness
• Community and Economic Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Integrated Health Disparities
• Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy

Eight new signature initiatives, which correspond to the eight priorities, mark a transformative step forward for Illinois Extension, igniting the flames of change across the organization. These initiatives, crafted with precision and foresight, promise to revolutionize Extension’s approach, empower communities, and shape the future of Extension services in Illinois. While these initiatives are groundbreaking, they are just the beginning—a testament to the organizational commitment to innovation and progress. Eight distinct workgroups have been established to focus on the signature initiatives and drive them forward.

• Signature Initiative for Community: Enriching civic engagement, volunteerism, and leadership training to support strong and resilient youth, families, and communities.  
• Signature Initiative for Economy: Fostering a resilient and future-ready workforce through delivering educational programs and promoting lifelong learning.  
• Signature Initiative for Environment: Bolstering climate-smart programming through education and outreach for a resilient future.  
• Signature Initiative for Food and Agriculture: Catalyzing decision-making associated with a safe, culturally responsive, and sustainable food, fibers, and bioenergy systems.  
• Signature Initiative for Health: Advancing health equity and promotion and healthcare access through education, partnerships, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change.
• Signature Initiative for Partnerships: Enhancing our connections and impact through stewardship of existing relationships and cultivation of new collaborations.  
• Signature Initiative for Technology and Discovery: Advancing digital accessibility, equity, and literacy through education and training among Illinois audiences. 
• Signature Initiative for Workforce Excellence: Equipping and empowering Illinois Extension’s workforce with skills and resources to achieve Extension’s mission.  

A Legacy of Impact

University of Illinois Extension, housed in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and upheld as a university asset and state resource, has been embedded in local communities for over 100 years. Extension translates university research into actionable best practices, delivering educational programs and offering training and services that positively impact the lives of adults and youths within Illinois and beyond. Through each era, Illinois Extension has responded to the challenges and needs of the time by building relationships and partnerships and delivering evidence-based knowledge through its vast statewide network. 

Illinois Extension’s strengths lie in the deep and sustained presence and engagement with local communities, the ability to convene and facilitate dialogue among a variety of audiences to identify critical needs and diverse ideas, and the capacity to directly connect with individuals, families, communities, businesses, and leaders. 

An Opportunity to Learn More

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