Janice McCoy defines the vision for University of Illinois Extension in Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties.  Janice leads a passionate staff of sixteen who are committed to changing lives in the three county unit.  The unit program focuses on Family Life, Home Horticulture, 4-H and Youth Development, and Nutrition Education.  She is responsible for personnel, budgeting, program development, volunteerism, council development, and facility use in the unit.   Janice has a bachelor's degree in mass communications and a master's degree in college student personnel, both from Western Illinois University.

McCoy has spent her career working with educational and not-for profit organizations. She worked for the YWCA of the Sauk Valley for nine years as the Director of Crisis Services. She was responsible for supervising the domestic violence and sexual assault programs. This experience has made her very familiar with the needs of at-risk families.  She spent fourteen years as a Family Life Educator with University of Illinois Extension demonstrating expertise in family living content and program development.

McCoy joined University of Illinois Extension in 2001. In her role as a Family Life Educator, McCoy has primarily been responsible for educational programs for families with children and professionals who work with families. She also has expertise in caregiving and aging awareness programs. McCoy participates as a member of the Lee County Board of Health, the Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership, and the Blackhawk Hills Regional Council.

Included among her awards are State and National program excellence awards for the Your Young Child curriculum and Distinguished Service Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Scientists.  She has also presented curriculum and research findings at numerous national conferences.

McCoy's professional affiliations include Epsilon Sigma Phi, Illinois Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.  McCoy also serves on numerous local boards including Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, Lee County Board of Health, Area Health Education Center, and the Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership. Janice is a native of the Sauk Valley area and graduated from Dixon High School. She and her husband Jim live in Dixon with their daughter.