McCracken Sees Many Opportunities As She Takes Over At Extension

On January 1^st, new leadership took over at Washington State University Extension.  Vicki McCracken was named WSU Associate dean and Director of WSU’s Extension.  She noted that Extension is in a good place right now, but one of the biggest challenges is educating students, alumni and Cougar nation who Extension is and what it does.

“We are out and about the state, and I think we present a lot of opportunities for educating the current group of students, but also getting those students back into their communities, and wanting to be part of the future of Extension.”

McCracken said the new leadership in Pullman, from President Kirk Schulz, to College of Ag dean Andre Wright see the value Extension plays in WSU’s role as the state’s Land Grant institution.  And that begins with stressing that Extension is more than an office in the County Seat.  She noted as they continue to reach out to the diverse agriculture community that calls Washington home, its critical farmers and ranchers communicate the benefit and the value of the local extension office.

“I think we need to work on how to communicate about what we do, and the impacts that we’re having on the lives of individuals including farmers across the state.”

McCracken adds she hopes to continue to cultivate and grow relationships with farm country across Washington.

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