Summer Leister, 4-H educator; Jennifer Patterson, agriculture educator; and Laura Payne, horticulture educator for Oklahoma State University Extension in Payne County, graduated from the OSU Extension Leadership Academy class this month. The program concluded with a retreat on Nov. 7 in Tulsa.
Leister, Patterson, Payne, and 14 other OSU Extension county educators, district/area specialists and Community Nutrition Education Program coordinators kicked off the course in April 2024. The program featured three overnight retreats, four webinars, practice exercises, and group reports.
Graduates will participate in two leadership project follow-up meetings in 2025 for continued professional development and networking with the first class of graduates. They will also discuss project updates and how the program has improved their personal and professional lives.
The Leadership Academy provides networking and collaboration opportunities for mid-career Extension professionals through discussion, practical application of lessons and projects, and team building. Participants learn personal leadership and self-management; interpersonal leadership and relationship building; decision-making; influence and big picture methodology to advance Extension; and how to foster ongoing professional growth among fellow aspiring leaders.
Leister and Payne’s final leadership project involves organizing a hands-on workshop that will teach educators the fundamentals of floral design, from selecting the right flowers to creating beautiful, balanced arrangements.“Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this workshop will guide you through key techniques such as color theory, texture and composition,” Leister said. “Participants will then have the chance to put their skills to the test in a friendly contest, showcasing their unique designs.”
Patterson is teaming up with Lisa Nicholson of Mayes County on a final leadership project that involves collaborating with the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine to support and expand the OSU ExpOSUre program.“This initiative will be featured at several state livestock shows, offering hands-on educational experiences and resources designed to promote the veterinary profession,” Patterson said. “Open to both 4-H and FFA youth, the program aims to address the veterinary shortage in Oklahoma’s rural communities by inspiring and equipping the next generation of veterinary professionals.”
Qualified candidates for the OSU Extension Leadership Academy must have three years of Extension experience, and participation is limited to 20 individuals.
OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state's 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost. MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Ellis | Office of Communications & Marketing, OSU Agriculture | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu
💡By Alisa Boswell-Gore
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University recently has received a $719,000 United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute
agInnovation, the national network of agricultural experiment stations at land-grant universities, is launching a working 10-year Research Roadmap outlining a research focus in sustainable food systems, climate solutions and water resiliency.
Xia Lei, assistant professor in the OSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is studying white blood cells in fat tissue, similar to the fat cells pictured above, to determine how they regulate inflammation caused by serious health conditions like diabetes.
