Three UNH Cooperative Extension staff were among the 13 faculty members who graduated last Friday from the 2008 UNH Outreach Scholars Academy. The three UNH Cooperative Extension staff graduating were Rick Alleva, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Julia Peterson, Extension Professor/Specialist, Water Resources, and Malcolm Smith, Extension Professor/Specialist, Family Education and Policy. They were recognized for their successful completion of the academy, along with faculty from other departments and UNH Manchester.

The 2008 Outreach Scholars Academy is a faculty development program in its fourth year. It consists of several workshops, group discussions and projects designed to encourage outreach scholarship at UNH.

Provost Bruce Mallory, Associate Vice President, Research and Outreach Scholarship, Julie Williams, and Faculty Fellow, Sharyn Potter all spoke to the importance of keeping the university’s public service mission in the forefront by working with our community partners in mutually beneficial ways. They also stressed the importance of faculty being recognized and rewarded for this type of work. Malcolm Smith was one of two scholars chosen by the class to address the audience with reflections on the academy.

Rick, Julia, and Malcolm join 10 other Extension specialists/faculty who have now completed the Outreach Scholars Academy. Congratulations!