2025 National Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual
Dr. Chris Sneed, University of Tennessee
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Dr. Christopher Sneed is a tenured Associate Professor and Consumer Economics Specialist in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Tennessee. He began his career with the University of Tennessee as an Employment Career Specialist, assisting individuals in transitioning from public assistance to sustainable employment. Since 2004, Dr. Sneed has served UT Extension in a series of progressive roles, including Extension Agent in McMinn and Blount Counties, Social Marketing Specialist for the SNAP-Ed program, Acting Director of SNAP-Ed and EFNEP, and Assistant Professor.
In his current role as an Associate Professor, Dr. Sneed provides statewide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of research-based Extension programs in consumer economics for both youth and adult audiences. His scholarship focuses on behavioral economics, workforce development for limited-resource populations, financial capability, and family resource management. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator of UT Extension’s SNAP Employment and Training initiative, Skill Up Tennessee.
Dr. Sneed was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2024, a recognition of his sustained excellence in teaching, research, and service. He is a nationally recognized educator, with numerous state and national awards honoring his innovative and impactful teaching and scholarship. His scholarly contributions include 40+ peer-reviewed journal articles, more than 80 Extension publications, and over $36 million in competitive external funding secured as PI or Co-PI. Dr. Sneed is an active contributor to the academic community through professional service, peer reviewing, and leadership in national associations dedicated to advancing Extension and consumer economics.
2025 National Excellence in Extension Award for a Team
Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve is a program of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Division of Extension based on the UW-Superior campus in Superior, WI. The program works with rural communities and schools to provide workforce development, empower educators, and drive innovative research and environmental monitoring of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary.
The Reserve, one of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is organized around core programs guided by a five-year management plan, an annual plan of work, and collaboration with over 45 partners, including Tribal Nations, municipalities, school districts, universities and a regional tribal college, as well as volunteers with the non-profit Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. The Reserve is nationally unique - it is the only one housed within an Extension program, bringing Extension principles and values to the NERR system. As such, it offers a collaborative mechanism to connect across Land Grant institutions to address issues and opportunities faced by communities including flooding, harmful algal blooms, and STEM education.
The Reserve team collaborates across disciplines and jurisdictions, meeting their mission to help communities address pressing Great Lakes coastal issues through integration of research, monitoring, education, training and stewardship.
The list of team members with titles and email addresses:
- Deanna Erickson, Director, deanna.erickson@wisc.edu
- Ryan Feldbrugge, Education Specialist, ryan.feldbrugge@wisc.edu
- Karina Heim, Training Program Coordinator, karina.heim@wisc.edu
- Hannah Nicklay, Monitoring Coordinator, hannah.nicklay@wisc.edu
- Luciana Ranelli, Education Coordinator, luciana.ranelli@wisc.edu
- Dr. Kaitlin Reinl, Research Coordinator, kreinl@wisc.edu
- Cecile Renfro, Coastal Wetland Research Intern, cecile.renfro@wisc.edu
- Kirsten Rhude, Stewardship Coordinator, kirsten.rhude@wisc.edu
- Addison Knoll, Water Quality Technician, knoll4@wisc.edu
- Melissa Burke, Climate Resilience Specialist, melissa.burke@wisc.edu
- Jim Gharrity, Financial Specialist, james.gharrity@wisc.edu
2025 ECOP National Extension Award for Innovative Programming that Addresses New Audiences
Dr. Dwayne James, University of Missouri
Neighborhood Leadership Fellows (NLF) is a 9-month, highly selective leadership program comprised of 18 sessions that provides advanced training to increase and amplify the voices of residents to work towards local systems change through advocacy skills and the knowledge needed to gain access to civic leadership tables and halls of power.
NLF was created to address the well-documented needs for more targeted investment in specific neighborhoods throughout St. Louis City and County. This footprint has remarkably dedicated and passionate residents who are assets to their neighborhoods. Because of their lived experience, they have unique and valuable insights and heightened investment in cultivating positive place-based outcomes. Unfortunately, these residents historically lack power (as defined here by access to the civic decision-making table) due to a history of exclusionary policies. The significant absence of resident voice in policy discussions results in minimal advocacy for the challenges facing the community, producing ineffective outcomes and neighborhoods that continue to decline.
The NLF curriculum includes educational workshops on policy, research, and advocacy; tactical trainings on communication and organizing; positional power trainings for decision making positions; and collaborative learning through dialogue and presentations among fellows and experts. Fellows create an individualized 10-year Personal Leadership Plan and work in groups to develop policy-based opportunities to address social determinants of health in their area.
Individuals selected to participate in Neighborhood Leadership Fellows will receive a stipend and UMSL Chancellor's Certificate in Civic Leadership.
More information can be found here.
2025 1890s Region Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual
Dr. Kristin Woods, Tuskegee University
Dr. Kristin L. Woods is a Food Systems Resource Specialist at Tuskegee University, where she serves on a talented team of Extension professionals who are dedicated to community wellbeing, sustainable agriculture, and experiential education across the Alabama Black Belt Food Corridor and beyond. With more than 27 years of experience in the food industry and outreach, Dr. Woods combines technical expertise with a passion for empowering farmers and improving local food systems. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. from Auburn University.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Woods has served in roles with Auburn University, Cornell University’s Produce Safety Alliance, Kraft Foods, Wayne Farms LLC, and Baskin Robbins. She has completed over 65 specialized trainings and certifications, making her a nationally recognized expert in produce safety, food systems leadership, and experiential agricultural education.
Dr. Woods has secured more than $9.5 million in funding for initiatives such as the Black Belt Food Corridor, which provides training, resources, and market opportunities for farmers in the Alabama Black Belt. She has delivered hundreds of presentations nationwide, published extensively, and developed educational tools that continue to serve diverse communities.
Known for her collaborative spirit and culturally inclusive approach, Dr. Woods is a true advocate for advancing agriculture and public health. She enjoys a lifelong love for agriculture and currently resides in Marengo County Alabama on a small goat farm.
2025 Western Region Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual
Ms. Nancy Ooki, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
2025 Northeast Region Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual
Mr. Richard Kralj, Penn State University
Richard Kralj, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, is a distinguished Food Safety Extension Educator at Penn State Extension for 25 years. With a diverse educational background, Richard holds an Associate of Applied Science in Animal Science from the State University of New York at Alfred, a Bachelor of Science in Human Foods and Nutrition from Mercyhurst College, and a Master of Education in Adult Education from Penn State University.
Richard's expertise spans various critical areas, including food safety, nutrition, and regulatory compliance. He is a Lead Instructor for the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) in Human Foods and Animal Feeds, Lead Instructor for the Produce Safety Alliance, and a certified instructor and proctor for ServSafe, a leading food safety training program. He educates and guides food industry professionals on best practices to ensure food safety and quality, safeguarding public health.
In addition to his instructional roles, Richard is actively involved in community outreach and education. He frequently conducts workshops and seminars on home food preservation and the legal and regulatory considerations for small-scale food business entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania. His dedication to public education is evident in his efforts to make complex food safety regulations accessible and understandable to a broad audience.
Richard's contributions to Penn State Extension are invaluable, as he combines his extensive knowledge with a passion for teaching and community service. His work enhances food safety standards and empowers individuals and businesses to achieve excellence in food handling and processing.
2025 North Central Region Excellence in Extension Award for an Individual
Dr. Jane Strommen, North Dakota State University
Jane Strommen has served as the Gerontology Extension Specialist in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at North Dakota State University. Her work has involved outreach education in the areas of health and well-being, family caregiving and aging in place.
Over the past 5 years, Strommen has secured $1.4 million in annual contracts from the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services for statewide administration and implementation of five health promotion evidence-based programs for older adults. Efforts have included planning, training, marketing/outreach, developing tools/resources, evaluation, reporting and establishing an infrastructure to administer the programs effectively. Approximately 1,400 older North Dakotans have participated in 28,000 hours of education and physical activity classes.
In Summer 2021, Strommen began work on a rural community-based project to assist older adults to remain safely and independently in their homes and communities called North Dakota Aging in Community (AIC) Project. A $1.6 million grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies was awarded to implement the project in two rural communities. During the 4-year grant period, a team of 5 staff members and dozens of trained volunteers provided over 9,000 direct contacts with older adults through educational and social engagement offerings, volunteer transportation, care coordination and individual client meetings.
Recently, Strommen received a $2.4 million Phase II grant to expand the AIC project to 10 additional rural counties and has transitioned to serve as Program Director of the AIC Project.
Strommen earned her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. degree from North Dakota State University.
2025 Southern Region Excellence in Extension for an Individual
Ms. Nelly Nelson, University of Florida
Nelly Nelson serves as the Family & Consumer Science Agent for UF/IFAS Extension in Manatee County, where she has devoted more than 9 years to advancing the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. With a focus on financial management, building healthy relationships, promoting wellness, and food safety, Nelly has earned a reputation as a trusted educator and advocate for sustainable living. Her educational efforts have generated a total continuing education and certification value of over $1.8 million in 2024 alone.
With her ability to communicate fluently in three languages, Nelly designs and delivers community outreach and educational programing tailored to the specific needs of diverse audiences. These individuals might otherwise go underserved. Since 2023, when the UF/IFAS Communications Department launched its Spanish Media Outreach Initiative, Nelly has also become the go-to spokesperson for Spanish-language media interviews on a variety of topics in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Nelly’s leadership extends beyond the local level. She is a former President of the Florida Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (FEAFCS), an active member of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) and is a member of the UF/IFAS Global Food Systems Institute.
Whether she is working with individuals on how to create a budget, empowering them to make healthier lifestyle choices, or fostering stronger family relationships, Nelly Nelson exemplifies the mission of UF/IFAS Extension - using research-based knowledge to improve the quality of life in Florida communities.
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