Michelle Rodgers leaves UD Cooperative Extension leadership role
After more than four decades in cooperative extension positions at three land-grant universities, Michelle Rodgers, University of Delaware associate dean and Cooperative Extension director, is calling it a career … sort of.
Rodgers will now provide leadership on an 18-month project for the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement, aka EXCITE, a national initiative she spearheaded while at UD. The undertaking is in lockstep with her passion for boots on the ground community work.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always managed to balance administrative work and keeping a hand in extension’s programing,” said Rodgers. “We are doing cooperative extension work as a national system, and documenting that impact at the local and national level. That is very fulfilling for me.”
This swansong is perhaps the perfect example of Rodgers’ lifelong commitment to educational programming. She grew up in an agricultural community and took part in 4-H programs, so she understood cooperative extension’s mission to bring knowledge to the people. The ability to work directly with the community led to her career in that field, starting with summer assistant positions as an undergraduate at Penn State.
“Extension was an exciting environment to be in. You make a difference in people’s lives,” said Rodgers, who went on to higher-level administrative roles at three land-grant universities — Penn State, Michigan State and UD.
With Rodgers’ departure, Jennifer Volk, who has served as UD Extension’s associate director and environmental quality specialist, takes over as interim director. Rodgers and Volk developed into a powerhouse tag team, taking on statewide and national projects.
Volk is especially appreciative of Rodgers’ mentorship throughout her own extension career and leading up to this planned transition.
“Michelle has a strong personality, but a big heart. She cares about people — our extension staff and people throughout Delaware,” said Volk. “I’ve always appreciated how Michelle purposely elevates cooperative extension in front of other people, whether they are UD or external leaders. That increases our visibility in the UD community, throughout Delaware and nationally.”
Like Rodgers, Volk strives to include everyone in her decision-making process and help extension to see the big picture in how the staff can serve Delaware.
“As an organization, UD Cooperative Extension has invested in leadership and mentoring,” said Rodgers. “We’ve positioned ourselves well for the next generation of leaders that can step right into new roles.”
