Extension leadership aims to foster meaningful dialogue with employees, improving both how we share and how we listen. You can submit feedback and questions for future updates directly to NC State Extension Director David Monks at dwm@ncsu.edu.

January 2026

Summary of topics:

• Advancing Extension's Agricultural Programming As the $100+ billion North Carolina agriculture industry grows and evolves, so must Extension's approach to local ag programming. As such, we're developing a new county-level agricultural staffing model for local Extension centers statewide, along with innovative new roles. This initiative builds upon our strengths and better positions Extension to meet our state's agricultural needs, advance NC Ag Leads strategic priorities and provide more timely, targeted support to farmers for years to come.
• Susan Kelly Retiring from NC State Extension After more than a decade of service, Susan Kelly, assistant director of county operations for NC State Extension, will retire on Feb. 1. Susan has played a vital role supporting our personnel and programming across 101 local centers, strengthening connections between campus and county operations. Keith Walters will serve as interim assistant director of county operations, with Bill Stone stepping into an interim role supporting leadership efforts in the South Central District.
• Interim Contact for Corn Production Questions While work continues to fill NC State Extension's full-time corn specialist position, Rod Gurganus, director of Extension's Beaufort County Center, will serve as the point of contact for corn production questions. This temporary arrangement ensures agents have a clear resource for ongoing guidance and support, and we're grateful to Rod for his time and help.
• New Executive Assistant for Extension Administration Please join me in welcoming Michaela Bolick, our new executive assistant for Extension administration as of Jan. 20. Formerly with CALS’ Department of Animal Science, Michaela now provides administrative support for the director's office and NC State Extension administration.
• New Extension Websites Launching in March EIT is preparing to launch revamped Extension websites across our network, marking a major step forward in how our programs and expertise are shared online. The new web environment will expand our digital capabilities and enhance our storytelling, making it easier for our experts to showcase their work and audiences to find information. To support a smooth transition, EIT is offering training sessions for all Extension web editors (county and topic sites). Visit the EIT site to learn more and register for training.

December 2025

Summary of topics:

• Civil Rights Compliance Annual Training If you haven't already completed your online Civil Rights Compliance Training, please do so by Dec. 31. This required training is your essential guide to civil rights compliance while working for NC State Extension. Questions? Please contact Meredith Weinstein.
• N.C. SARE Funding Available for Cover Crops Conference N.C. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) has funding available to help Extension agents attend the Southern Cover Crops Council Conference, taking place Feb. 25-26, 2026, in Gainesville, FL. Funds cover the cost of registration and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To take advantage of this opportunity, register for the SCCC Conference. Contact Susan Wassmer with questions.
• Extension Employee Experience Survey Your feedback is vital to helping NC State Extension grow stronger together. By sharing your experiences in our annual employee survey, you help us understand what’s working well and where we can make meaningful improvements in support of our people and our mission. Please take the survey by Dec. 19.

November 2025

Summary of topics:

• Ben Chapman Named Interim Associate Director
• David Suchoff to Lead N.C. PSI's Extension Platform
• Sarah Kirby to Retire Jan. 1, 2026

After nearly 40 years of exemplary leadership and service, Sarah Kirby will retire at the start of the new year. Sarah has been a force for good across our Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programming — and a steady, compassionate leader through some of our most challenging times. Please join me in wishing her well!

Annie Hardison-Moody has been named our new FCS state program leader, beginning in January. She has served as interim assistant program leader since Sep. 2024 and brings valuable experience and vision to the role.

• Digital Accessibility: What to Know
• Generative AI Guidance and Best Practices for Extension
  • AI Best Practices Handout
  • Extension AI Guidance
• Nominations Open for 2025 Soybean Agent of the Year
• NCDA&CS Soil Sample Reminder
• Learn Practical Strategies for Climate-Resilient Farming (Register for Nov. 17 or Dec. 5)

Archived Director Updates

Rich Bonanno retired as NC State Extension director in August 2024. View an archive of his regular update videos with organizational news and information for employees.

View archived director update videos for:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016