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Cooperative Extension director found ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ at UD

Janice Seitz, director of UD Cooperative Extension
1:27 p.m., June 4, 2004--A year and a half ago, Janice Seitz was happy and content in her job as assistant dean and director of Extension 4-H Youth Development at the University of Illinois. In nearly six years leading Illinois 4-H, Seitz had enjoyed many successes, including an increase in volunteers from 209,000 to more than 412,000.

So, what would motivate her to leave a satisfying career and family and friends and move 700 miles away to Delaware?

“The opportunity of a lifetime,” Seitz said. In May 2003, Seitz was named director of UD Cooperative Extension and associate dean for extension and outreach for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Now, a year later, Seitz’s accomplishments have included obtaining a national grant to strengthen UD’s partnership with Delaware State University, the establishment of a competitive grant program for extensional professionals and the creation of an internship program to allow students to tap into extension expertise.

Seitz said her first order of business as director of UD Extension was getting to know the needs here. She said she wanted to find out more about extension programming in such diverse areas as agriculture, food safety and nutrition, home gardening, financial planning and youth and family development. As part of her fact-finding, Seitz began traveling on an almost daily basis to extension events in every county.

“It’s not unusual for me to start the day with meetings in Sussex, give a speech at a luncheon in Kent and conclude with afternoon appointments in New Castle County,” Seitz said. “I’ve put 12,000 miles on my car in the last year but gained tremendous knowledge about Delaware Extension.”

In Delaware, the Cooperative Extension Service is housed at both UD and Delaware State University (DSU). Early on, Seitz saw a need to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions. Working with Dyremple Marsh, DSU extension director, Seitz obtained a grant that names Delaware as a Change Agent State for Diversity. Delaware was one of seven states nationwide to receive this designation.

The grant, which supports greater cultural diversity in the nation’s land grant universities, was announced in May. Later this summer, UD and DSU will be paired with one of seven “mentor states” and will begin examining best practices for diversity management.

Seitz kicked off another key initiative, the Extension Scholars Program, in May. Five undergraduate extension scholars were selected to work with extensional professionals this summer on projects related to their career interests. Funded jointly by extension and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the scholars receive $3,000 stipends, as well as housing allowances.

“The scholars were drawn from a range of majors, including environmental science, agriculture education, animal science and dietetics,” Seitz said. “Although their projects vary, all the scholars will benefit from experiencing the service-learning model that is the cornerstone of extension.”

Seitz unveiled another major program in April: the Delaware Extension Competitive Grant Program. This interdisciplinary program allows UD and DSU extension professionals, working in collaboration with University faculty members, to apply for start-up funds to explore emerging issues in their fields. Annual grants will be awarded in amounts from $3,000 to $10,000 and are renewable for up to $5,000 for three years.

An admitted workaholic who thrives on long hours, Seitz said she was determined to quickly make a difference as director of UD extension. “Delaware extension impacts the entire life span, from newsletters for parents of newborns to nutrition programs geared to senior citizens,” Seitz said. “I see my job as shining the light on these terrific programs and the people who work so hard to carry them out.”

Robin Morgan, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said she is inspired by Seitz’ “boundless energy and her commitment to diversity and service.”

Seitz said she has no regrets about leaving the comfort of her position in Illinois and forging a new path at UD. “I view my position here as the capstone of my career,” Seitz said. “I love Delaware; I’m having the time of my life.”

Article by Margo McDonough
Photo by Duane Perry

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