2025 JCEP Extension Leadership Conference Scholarship Recipient Reflections

Kimberly Cavalier, Iowa          
The Extension Leadership Conference held on February 19th and 20th in Savannah Georgia was a wonderful opportunity to network with other extension professionals in leadership roles across the nation, while honing leadership skills together.   During this time, I was able to build connections with professionals from several other states while we discussed successful leadership. I was able to spend time looking at the poster presentations and make some wonderful connections on topic areas that are relevant to my work as an Extension Professional. During the excellent slate of concurrent sessions, I learned about improving mental health, communication styles, sharing resources and networking as well as creating micro-cultures. During the second day of sessions, I learned about leadership influence and the power of connection.  I enjoyed hearing from Karl Bradley again and working on networking skills with his day two activities. The presentation from J Scott Angle was informative and brought to mind many great ideas about how we are changing with the times. I enjoyed listening to the former governor Nathan Deal and felt a deep connection to his (and his late wife’s) passion for literacy.  During the affiliate meeting it was wonderful to learn more about the upcoming year and strategic planning, as well as connect with other extension educators about the different programs and focuses in each state. I enjoyed having dinner and talking to other Extension professionals and learning from them. I hope to continue to grow my leadership skills and the Extension Leadership Conference was a great way to grow those skills in the president-elect role for NEAFCS, and as an extension educator.

Stephanie Carlson, Utah       
The JCEP Conference was held in Savannah Georgia February 2025. The keynote speaker was amazing and provided great, motivating information. The leadership activities involved everyone. It was wonderful to get to know so many people. There were a variety of workshops that were educational and meaningful. Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal was inspiring and fun to listen to. The information provided and networking opportunities were invaluable.

Rosie Stewart, Arizona           
I sincerely appreciate NEAFCS for making it possible for me to attend the 2025 JCEP ELC. This dynamic conference offered a wealth of professional development opportunities. Reflecting on the experience, I am grateful for the valuable insights gained. The keynote address, breakout sessions, and capstone, with their rich educational content and interactive format, provided me with practical strategies to enhance both my team’s collaboration and local programming. JCEP ELC also offered a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of the broader Extension landscape and build meaningful connections with members from various Extension associations. A highlight of my experience was co-presenting a breakout session alongside my affiliate’s President-elect. Our session was well received by an engaged and enthusiastic audience. Additionally, I had the chance to connect with fellow NEAFCS members during the Association Meeting. JCEP ELC is truly an outstanding conference, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to refine their leadership skills and expand their professional network.

Brenda Miller, Oklahoma      
2025 JCEP ELC did not disappoint! Getting to network with others was meaningful during the interactive leadership key notes by Karl Bradley.  The workshops that were my favorites were "Keeping Your Sandbox in Order" (The culture of each Extension group we work with and how we adjust to best work in each group), "Optimizing the Onboarding Process for New Extension Agents" (The different steps and content covered to onboard new employees), and "Becoming an Employer of Choice ...." (What is important to GenX, Millennials, and Baby Boomers to help retain them as employees.)  I plan to take the information I learned back to Oklahoma and share with others.   I enjoyed the message the former governor of Georgia shared, and the information provided by the former Director of USDA/NIFA and his perspective on the new President and his process for cutting government spending. Even though the cuts seem drastic at the moment, he feels the President will accept less drastic cuts before it is over with. Another activity I enjoyed was the pre-tour of Savannah at night. The guide was truly knowledgeable about the history of Savannah and a great storyteller.  I also enjoyed getting to have dinner with other NEAFCS members and networking. The hotel was nice and the meals were delicious! This is one of the most enjoyable conferences I have attended. It is two full days packed with meaningful experiences! Thank you for the assistance provided to attend this conference.

Troy Anderson, Maryland      
Attending the 2025 JCEP (Joint Council of Extension Professionals) conference in Savannah, Georgia, was a transformative experience that offered extensive learning opportunities. The gathering brought together passionate Cooperative Extension professionals committed to enhancing their skills and knowledge in Extension education. A key highlight was the diverse array of speakers who shared valuable insights on innovative methodologies, community engagement strategies, and leveraging technology to improve Extension outcomes. The poster session and 20-50 minutes concurrent sessions were particularly impactful. These sessions provided hands-on experiences, allowing us as delegates to immediately apply new concepts, testing our understanding with tangible results and immediate feedback. With a profound sense of shared purpose, the collaborative environment fostered open dialogue, enabling us as delegates to learn from each other's experiences and challenges, each voice contributing to a richer understanding. This aspect of the conference was invaluable, as it built a sense of community and shared purpose. I particularly enjoyed the concurrent sessions led by Aaron Esser, Julie Garden-Robinson, Tearney Woodruff, and Paul Roback. A significant takeaway from JCEP was the emphasis on year-round leadership. Sessions highlighted the need for flexibility and openness to change in today's rapidly evolving Extension landscape. This resonated deeply in my capacity, contributing significantly to my development as a leader. I realized that effective leadership involves not just adhering to traditions but also embracing innovation and growth. Overall, the JCEP conference was an enriching experience that enhanced my professional skills and inspired me to adopt a more dynamic and inclusive approach to leadership.

Margie Mansure, North Carolina      
Any Extension professional could benefit from this leadership conference. While I know about many of the theories of personal leadership presented, it's helpful to be reminded and encouraged to apply these nuggets of wisdom to everyday thoughts and actions. One that I particularly need to hear right now is a review of Steven Covey's circles of control, influence and concern. It's easy to spend too much energy on worldwide events that I have no control over. I am attempting to not spend my time there, or at least very little of it! Another important reminder is different communication styles that we should be aware of to help our relationships to be more productive and enjoyable. There are different ways to think about issues or tasks, and each way may be beneficial.

Luanne Hughes, New Jersey
Attending the JCEP Extension Leadership Conference was an incredibly valuable experience for me as a community nutrition educator. Having the opportunity to present both a poster and an oral presentation on leadership not only allowed me to share my knowledge and expertise but also offered a chance for personal and professional growth.  Presenting at the conference provided a platform to highlight the intersection of leadership and community nutrition, emphasizing how effective leadership can drive positive changes in public health initiatives. Engaging with fellow professionals through the poster session gave me immediate feedback on my work and allowed me to discuss innovative strategies and challenges faced in the field. The poster session facilitated a rich exchange of ideas, helping me refine my own understanding of leadership and the critical role it plays in shaping public health outcomes.  Additionally, delivering the oral presentation was a significant learning opportunity. The experience helped me build confidence in public speaking and refine my communication skills, ensuring that I could convey complex ideas clearly and engagingly. It was also valuable to witness the diverse approaches to leadership shared by other speakers, enriching my own perspective on leadership styles and practices.  Overall, the conference reinforced the importance of collaboration, continued learning, and adaptability in leadership roles. It was an inspiring and insightful event that not only deepened my passion for community nutrition but also strengthened my leadership abilities in the context of public health education.

Alisha Barton, Ohio  
Attending the leadership conference was a positive experience, offering valuable insights that will improve my abilities as the president of NEAFCS. The conference emphasized key leadership skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and the importance of team building. These skills are crucial in guiding our organization toward its goals. The sessions on strategic thinking and decision-making provided practical tools to navigate challenges, while discussions on emotional intelligence underscored the importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership.  One of the most impactful takeaways was learning how to foster a collaborative environment within a diverse team. As president must balance the needs and ideas of different members while driving the organization’s vision forward. The conference reinforced the importance of listening, creating a culture of trust, and empowering others to contribute meaningfully. I also gained insight into how to lead during times of change, which is particularly relevant as our organization looks to evolve and adapt in the coming year.  Overall, the leadership conference has equipped me with fresh perspectives and practical strategies to better serve my organization. It reinforced the importance of continuous learning and self-reflection in leadership, and I feel more confident in my ability to lead with purpose, inclusivity, and resilience.

Katie Seelhoff, Colorado       
Attending ELC was an amazing experience. There were many great networking opportunities where I got programming ideas as well as ways to better support my state association. I gained leadership skills that will help me better connect with other association members as I prepare to step into the president’s role next year. In addition, I hadn’t realized that I was feeling a little burned out, so the keynote speaker that helped us connect to our why was very helpful. I plan to use his tip to add reminders in my phone to help me think about ways to improve daily while also being reminded why I do my job. Day one, I attended the “Secret Sauce” workshop where I learned more about working together on a regional level. I feel like we have been missing the mark in some of our state teamwork and I hope to use what I learned in the workshop to restructure the way we work as a state program and thereby leading to larger impacts for our state association. The association meeting at the end of day one was probably the most impactful. It was great to hear more about what other states do such as the monthly newsletter, officer retreats, and new member orientation ideas. I plan to put together an information sheet explaining the difference between our association and state planning/reporting group.

Latoya Evans, Mississippi    
I appreciate the opportunity to participate in JCEP. As the current President of MEAFCS, the conference was an excellent platform for networking with NEAFCS colleagues and connecting with other Extension professionals. The concurrent sessions I attended were informative.  I work with a volunteer group and want to recruit new volunteers by starting a book club.   This session, Finding Facts in Fiction: Connecting Themes from Novels to Leadership and Extension through a Book Club, offered valuable insights into books and how the books can be related to Extension programs. Another session, Gifts and Donations to Enhance Extension Outreach, highlighted the impact of external contributions for Extension programming. Overall, the conference was outstanding, and I extend my gratitude to NEAFCS for this professional development experience.

Robin Eubank-Callis, Kansas            
Thank you for the scholarship to assist in attending JCEP Extension Leadership Conference.  This was one of the best conferences I have attended.  I appreciated the opportunities to reflect on our leadership choices and dive deeper into specific topics in break out sessions.   Karl Bradley challenged us to set an alarm to check in daily.  This alarm every evening causes me to stop and pause.  I ask myself “Did I do my best today to learn so that I may have more to give?” The other question I left the keynote pondering is “Did I do my best today to take time to reflect so that I can be patient with others?”   The concurrent session ‘Mic’d Up for Growth: Exploring How Podcasting Boosts Leadership and Collaboration for Researchers and Extension Pros provided some great background on viewing a podcast as a long form interview.  It also provided space for other podcasters to talk about lessons learned.  I’m part of a team podcast that started in December 2024.  The ability to see the lessons learned by Extension Professionals with more experience shaped my views and reflections on our progress in a few months.   Dr. J. Scott Angle provided some thought-provoking comments around AI and the future of Extension.  Since attending JCEP-ELC, I have signed up to learn more about the different AI tools available to the public.   The time spent with other NEAFCS members opened my eyes to potential future leadership roles and ways to increase my involvement.

Synithia Flowers, Alabama  
The 2025 JCEP Conference was enriching, empowering as well as truly enjoyable!  I gleaned several tools that I plan to infuse within our state meeting along with other personal and professional take-aways. I enjoyed the opportunity to present a skill building session with a colleague on the LEADS framework and social media.  Additionally, I appreciated opportunities for collegiality at sessions, association meetings, poster presentations as well as networking breaks and similar.   JCEP was a great experience all around and I look forward to sharing and capitalizing on things that were learned!

Jasmine Greer, Virginia           
Attending the JCEP Extension Leadership Conference was an enriching experience. I hold multiple leadership roles including Unit Coordinator for my local office, President Elect for my state affiliate, and membership in several advisory capacities. This conference provided unique networking opportunities with other Extension Leaders as well as sessions that targeted skills that specifically address issues I face as a leader in Extension.

Kate McCarty, Maine
My takeaways from the Extension Leadership Conference were around leadership skills like communication styles, facilitating discussion, and levels of influence. I particularly appreciated the keynote speaker’s talk on the latter topic. Karl did a nice job of building his talk around the values that drive us in our work, which resulted in us creating a personal mission statement.  I attended several sessions about leadership styles models, which I was familiar with (DiSC, Real Colors), but it’s always nice to have a refresher and reminder of the different ways people work, different values that drive them, and consider effective methods of communication with coworkers. As a manager, I am always looking to improve my communication with and feedback to the people I supervise in order to promote a positive and effective workplace.  I was able to connect with NEAFCS members and leadership, which I appreciated as someone who has just become president of our local affiliate in Maine. I got a copy of the national organization’s strategic plan, which will help our state chapter align its goals with the direction of the national organization over the next 3 years.  I also enjoyed the speaker who talked about Extension and innovation - mostly the use of AI in the workplace. I’m not a big AI person, so it was interesting to hear from a proponent of it and as a result of that talk, I’ve sought out professional development opportunities (webinars) and volunteered for a committee that explores the use of AI at UMaine Extension, which coincidentally formed after ELC. I appreciate the opportunity to attend ELC!