Board Excellence Newsletter, April 2026

 

From the Director of Extension:
Administrative Update

There are a lot of things happening this spring, so this article will be a little jam-packed.

First, we want to congratulate or Executive Vice President of External Engagement (includes K-State Extension) and Chief of Staff Dr. Marshall Stewart, who was selected to be the 16th president of North Dakota State University.

While his time here was relatively short, his impact has been great and will be long-lasting. For example, he was critical in developing the vision for Elevating Extension – the program that provides K-State Extension with greater recognition and accountability, and enables and encourages all of K-State to do more community engagement across the state.

Regarding Elevating Extension, our focus this year continues to seek out greater efficiencies in our business and communications support services. Why? The goal of this phase of Elevating Extension is to enable extension to put as much funding as possible towards agents, specialists and our great programs.

During the week of April 19, members of your State Extension Advisory Council will be joining officers from our extension professional associations to go to the Public Issues Leadership Development conference in Maryland. This conference culminates with a visit to Capitol Hill where our delegation will meet with federal legislators and their staff to educate and advocate on behalf of Extension.

They will be led by Drs. Chris Onstad and Erin Martinez from my Extension Administration Team. Let’s wish them all well!

K-State did well overall in the state budget process. While there was a small reduction to our operating funds, we also received much more for such things as a new dairy facility, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and our nuclear program.

The state legislature treated extension well regarding the level of funding, but we will need an additional step to receive that funding. Before funding is granted, we will need to make a presentation to the State Finance Council.

This group is made up of the leadership of the Executive and Legislative branches of our state government. I will be making a short presentation to them on how we will use the funds and provide a brief glimpse of how we will operate.

The critical themes will be describing Elevating Extension, our commitment to agriculture, and how we will ensure that we are an efficient and impactful investment of state funds.

We will be talking more about all of these important issues at our next Partnership Meeting on April 16. I hope to see you or one of your board colleagues at this very important meeting.

 

 

Mid-Year Performance Reviews: An Opportunity to Reflect, Connect and Plan

This year marks the introduction of mid-year reviews for K-State Extension. While annual performance evaluations in the fall have long been part of our performance management cycle, mid-year reviews are new. The addition of mid-year reviews gives us a chance to review progress, address challenges and adjust goals as needed. It ensures that employees stay on track and that goals remain relevant and achievable.

Mid-year reviews are not intended to replace annual evaluations or add extra paperwork. Instead, they give us a chance to pause halfway through the year. They let us reflect on progress, priorities and challenges while there is still time to adjust.

Extension work is dynamic; the realities of our roles can shift quickly due to community needs, emerging issues or programming changes. A mid-year conversation allows supervisors and employees to acknowledge that flexibility and respond proactively.

The mid-year reviews will be done in all local units. They will be completed by the regional director or the local unit director (if they have agent supervisory responsibilities). This check-in reviews employees’ work on their action plans, goals and professional development. It also notes if they are demonstrating K-State’s Standards of Excellence and modeling K-State’s values.

Because this is the first year K-State Extension is doing mid-year reviews, it’s important to approach the process with flexibility and a learning mindset. Like any new initiative, it will evolve over time based on feedback and experience. By taking time to reflect, connect, and plan together, we position ourselves and our organization — for continued success in the months ahead.

 

 

SEAC Meeting Review

A bridge between communities and the university

The State Extension Advisory Council (SEAC) serves as a crucial bridge between local communities and the director of extension. Council members bring diverse perspectives from agriculture, business, education, youth development, health and community leadership. By listening to constituents and sharing feedback, SEAC members ensure that extension programming reflects current challenges and emerging opportunities across rural and urban Kansas.

This two-way communication strengthens trust. Communities know their concerns are heard at the state level, and K-State Extension gains valuable insight into how research and programming can make the greatest impact.

Preparing for Legislative Engagement

On Feb 16–17, SEAC and extension leaders convened in Topeka. The meeting initially focused on administrative updates from Gregg Hadley, assistant vice president and director of extension; Erin Martinez, interim associate director of extension Programs; and Chris Onstad, associate director of Field Operations. These updates provided insight into statewide priorities, emerging challenges and opportunities for continued impact.

The group also spent time planning and preparing for legislative visits, led by Matt Casey, executive director of government relations. Engaging legislators is critical to maintaining funding and support for K-State Extension. Council members serve as ambassadors, sharing impact stories and demonstrating how investments in extension yield measurable returns in economic development, youth leadership, food systems and community resilience. These efforts help ensure policymakers understand the real-world value of extension programs across Kansas.

From administrative updates and budget discussions to legislative planning, the recent SEAC meeting illustrated the breadth and depth of the council’s work. The State Extension Advisory Council is more than an advisory body; it is a strategic partner in shaping the future of K-State Extension.

In every agenda item and every discussion, the message is clear: strong leadership and engaged citizens are essential to keeping extension relevant, effective and forward-looking.

We are thankful for the work our SEAC volunteers do each year.

 

 

Partnership Meeting: Date, locations and agenda

The next K‑State Extension Partnership Meeting will be held April 16 from 6-8 p.m. All local unit board members are encouraged to attend.

If you have suggestions or comments on the discussion questions, please email those to Gregg Hadley at ghadley@ksu.edu.

The registration deadline is April 10.

 

 

 

Program Spotlight: 2024–2025 Making a Difference report

Be sure to check out the 2024-2025 Making a Difference annual report, which highlights the impactful work of K-State Extension. The report aims to spotlight our extension professionals’ and volunteers’ dedication and hard work to better lives and help communities thrive throughout Kansas.

Last month, copies of the report were mailed to each county to share with local stakeholders. Additional copies can be ordered through the K-State Extension Bookstore. You can also download the 2024-2025 Making a Difference Across Kansas (PDF) online.