Dr. David Monks, NC State Extension director, shares organizational news and information for employees via a bimonthly newsletter: From the Director's Desk.

Extension leadership aims to foster meaningful dialogue with employees, improving both how we share and how we listen. Employees can submit feedback and questions for future update videos directly to Dr. Monks at dwm@ncsu.edu.

View the current year Director Update Videos.

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

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.

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)