University of Missouri (MU) Extension is turning the page on a new chapter beginning January 1, 2019. To better understand the needs of Missourians, in the fall of 2016, we began a yearlong statewide listening tour and comprehensive assessment. One stop was at The OC in Ozark, where our Vice Chancellor Marshall Stewart spent time with many from Christian County who gave their input.
One of the things discovered, was that through an annual investment of $86 million (in 2016), MU Extension generated almost $1 billion in economic impact to Missouri’s economy. However, many needs also emerged from the assessment, leading to the decision to restructure MU Extension to focus on three critical issues: Education, the Economy and Health.
In 2018, MU Extension initiated this restructuring to better align field faculty around core needs and challenges that Missourians had identified. Through a network of county offices and hundreds of MU Extension faculty and staff in all 114 counties in Missouri, hundreds of initiatives, programs, educational events and workshops are offered across the state on any given day. The programs will now address issues related to economic opportunities, educational access, and healthy futures for Missourians They will be housed under 4 main program areas: Youth and Family; Agriculture and Environment; Business and Community Development; and Health and Safety.
New Targets for MU Extension include:
- To improve the economy of Missouri by more than doubling our economic impact from $945 million to $2 billion over the next 10 years;
- To increase the number of high school graduates participating in post-secondary education from the current 51 percent to 60 percent over the next decade and provide place-based continuing education credentialing, job-ready programs, beginning in 2020; and
- To collaborate with our partners to improve Missouri’s national health ranking from 40th to 25th over the next decade.
My new role in Christian County began on September 1, 2018 as a part of this reorganization. My role as the County Engagement Specialist gives me the opportunity to start this new chapter together with the Citizens of Christian County. We will achieve our goals as we work together, and as we focus on the best future for our county, and for all of its citizens. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to leading and serving through the strengths and assets of the University of Missouri.
Best,
Pam
Pam Duitsman, PhD
County Engagement Specialist
Community and Economic Development
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