UPDATE (May 30):
The interview process is now complete – recordings of the finalists’ seminar presentations are available below. Thank you to everyone who participated in the interviews, your engagement is critical to this important leadership search. We encourage all faculty and staff to submit your feedback through the evaluation form by June 4 at 5 p.m.

NC State Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are pleased to announce four finalists for the position of associate dean and director of NC State Extension. Each candidate will participate in a two-day interview process during May, which includes open forums and a public seminar.

The associate dean and director of NC State Extension provides strategic leadership for Extension’s vast statewide network of people, programs and partnerships. The position works across departments, colleges and communities to facilitate research-based educational programs that address the real-world needs of North Carolinians — from agriculture and 4-H youth development to public health and environmental stewardship. The role is essential in reinforcing NC State’s land-grant mission and building a more prosperous North Carolina. Read the position prospectus.

All Extension and CALS personnel are encouraged to take part in this important step to help identify our next Extension leader. Finalist materials – including CVs and full interview itineraries – can be accessed below:

• Finalist Materials and Schedule Details

 

Finalist Interview Schedule

• Darrell Donahue Special Assistant to the Provost and President, West Virginia University May 14-15, 2025 

Open Presentation for Faculty & Staff May 14 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. Talley Student Union, Room 3222 Presentation Recording (Password: 775834)

• Allisen Penn Associate Dean for Outreach and Extension, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia May 20-21, 2025 

Open Presentation for Faculty & Staff May 20 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. Williams Hall, Room 2405 Presentation Recording (Password: 994837)

• Loren Fisher Assistant Director for N.C. Agricultural Research Service, Director of Research Stations and Field Labs, NC State May 22-23, 2025 

Open Presentation for Faculty & Staff May 22 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. Talley Student Union, Room 3222 Presentation Recording (Password: 83946752)

• David Monks Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement, Interim Associate Dean and Director, NC State Extension May 29-30, 2025 

Open Presentation for Faculty & Staff May 29 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. Talley Student Union, Room 4280 Presentation Recording (Password: 712543)

Participate in the Selection Process

As detailed in the individual candidate schedules, each finalist will deliver a seminar titled: “Leading Agricultural and Life Sciences Innovation through Cooperative Extension.”

Presentations are open to all Extension and CALS personnel, both in person and via Zoom. Recordings will be shared with employees after the final candidate visit. Others may request a recording by emailing Marjorie Bernardin, executive search specialist, at mbernar@ncsu.edu.

Each finalist will also meet with a range of internal and external stakeholders – including department heads, Extension agents, county directors, campus partners and industry representatives – throughout their visit.

Share Your Feedback

We value your input in this decision-making process. Anonymous feedback for each candidate may be submitted at:

• Extension Director Finalists Evaluation Form

The deadline to submit evaluations is Wednesday, June 4, at 5 p.m. Your comments are anonymous and will be shared only with Search Chair Megan Jacob and CALS Dean Garey Fox.