Gina Peek
Associate Dean, Extension Engagement and Continuing Education, Oklahoma State University
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of EAB.
“Oklahoma State University intends to become the nation’s preeminent land-grant university. The preeminent land-grant university is the institution that most successfully carries out the land-grant mission for the place it serves” (The Strategy, 2022).
OSU underwent a planning process to help inform and guide decision-making for the future. Beginning in the fall of 2021, input was gathered from the OSU community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and stakeholders. The outcome of the process is The Strategy, a brief document that articulates the tripartite mission of the land-grant university: teaching, research, and extension and is designed to serve as the framework for future efforts.
As the state program leader for OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), I have publicly stated the goal to have the premiere FCS Extension program in the U.S. This is in alignment with the University and the College of Education and Human Sciences; both have made public statements declaring intent to be the premiere entities in their respective areas. The goal is also important to me. I love the work and the people we serve.
Question: How do we reach the goal of becoming the premiere FCS program?
Answer: Look for opportunities.
- First opportunity: Rethink and improve communication about FCS.
- Second opportunity: Increase collaboration across Extension; just one opportunity is STEM education.
- Third opportunity: Identify growth areas that are in alignment with the university strategy and college strategic planning.
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With these opportunities in mind, here is how we will get to the goal to be the premiere FCS Extension program in the U.S.
- Declare intent
- Integrate this intent into strategic planning processes and add real value to planning efforts
- Take stock of existing resources; what do we already have going for us?
- Create an action plan with measurables and a timeline (short, medium, long-term)
- Report successes
- Keep going; we want to be the premiere FCS program and we are in it for the long haul
We are looking forward to a bright future!
Resources
Boyer, E. L. (2016). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. Jossey-Bass.
Gavazzi, S. M., & Gee, E. G. (2018). Land grant universities for the future: Higher education for the public good. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Oklahoma State University. (2022). We are land-grant: Uncommon preeminence for the common good.
See the fellows’ blogs from the capstone projects
Gina Peek and others participated in EAB’s Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship in fall 2022
