URBANA, Ill. — Bringing nearly 20 years of University of Illinois Extension experience, Durriyyah Kemp has been tapped to serve as the organization’s interim associate dean and director during the transition between outgoing leader Shelly Nichols-Richardson, who is returning to her faculty appointment, and the new permanent director, who will be named soon. Kemp assumed these responsibilities on Monday, June 2.
Kemp holds a doctorate in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University and currently serves as Extension’s associate director for region one, which includes Cook and other northern counties of the state. She joined Illinois Extension in 2006, working in both youth development as well as social and emotional learning, before expanding her impact into a regional leadership role in 2022.
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ Dean Germán Bollero remarked that, “Dr. Kemp’s dedication to the campus’ land-grant mission, her unwavering commitment to Extension staff statewide, and her ability to sustain partnerships all offer great value to Extension during this season of change. I appreciate her willingness to answer this call to service.”
As an associate director, Kemp currently provides leadership and vision for aligning resources and partners to support the development and delivery of regional and statewide educational initiatives. She manages a diverse portfolio of field operations and supports county directors and staff in the densely populated northern region of the state. Kemp serves on the National Urban Extension Leaders steering committee and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion action team. Durriyyah has been recognized for her contributions, receiving the statewide Extension Outstanding Innovative Programming Team Award for SEL, the Excellence in Diversity Team Award, and an overall Excellence Award.
Of this opportunity, Kemp stated, “I am honored to serve as the interim leader of Illinois Extension, supporting our dedicated staff and championing the vital outreach education we provide. Now more than ever, it is essential that we share the richness of our story and the depth of our impact, ensuring communities across Illinois know we are here for them.”
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.