Cummings to Coordinate New MSU Extension District

posted on April 28, 2010 9:15am

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EAST LANSING, Mich.—Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is pleased to announce that Kathryn Cummings has been appointed as the district coordinator for District 5 which covers Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo,  and Muskegon counties. Cummings brings 30 years of experience to this position and will officially begin her district coordinator position on July 1, 2010.
             
  “District coordinators are critical to MSUE’s ability to move Michigan forward.  Working with local governments, nonprofits, school systems and neighborhood groups, MSUE is focused on providing the knowledge resources necessary to identify community challenges and propose and implement successful solutions,”  commented Michelle Rodgers, associate director of MSUE. “These leaders will represent Extension in communities across the state and serve the role of linking Michigan State University’s vast research and teaching resources to Michigan communities.”
             
  Creating the thirteen districts was part of Extension’s redesign to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. Five regional director positions and 82 county Extension director positions were eliminated in the redesign and replaced with the redefined district coordinator role. Some staff members are being reassigned as education specialists increasing Extension’s capacity to get relevant and essential information critical to improving our communities and assisting individuals out to Michigan residents.
             
  “I am delighted to have been selected as the District 5 coordinator with MSU Extension and look forward to working with decision makers and stakeholders in the District’s five counties,” said Cummings. “These are tough times in Michigan, but by working together we can provide an even richer variety of educational experiences for citizens to improve their quality of life.”
             
  Cummings brings experience to this position as an educator in family and consumer science and community development, as well as county Extension director in two counties. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University, and significant grant-writing experience.
             
  Cummings will join other district coordinators in training and program planning during the transition period leading up to July 1.
  #ml#
  Photo available upon request.