University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has selected 15 professionals from throughout the state to participate in the 2024-25 cohort of the Extension Academy for Professional Excellence, a program aimed at developing the next generation of Extension leaders.

The program, which launched in 2003, was developed to provide leadership skills training to early- and mid-career Extension agents, state specialists and faculty from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Participants in the leadership program are current and emerging professional and academic leaders interested in enhancing their leadership skills.

2024-25 leadership cohort

Following in the footsteps of 187 past graduates of the program, this year’s Extension Academy participants are:

• Valerie Bennett, 4-H Extension agent, Colquitt County, Southwest District
• Brett Blaauw, associate professor, CAES Department of Entomology
• Georgeanne Cook, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent, Tift County, Southwest District
• Kristen Ford, 4-H Extension agent, Worth County, Southwest District
• Ashleigh Geurin, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent, Candler and Evans counties, Southeast District
• Randie Gray, 4-H Extension agent, Hancock County, Northeast District
• Laura Lee Hughes, 4-H Extension agent, Ben Hill County, Southwest District
• Rolando Orellana, UGA Extension Urban Water Management agent
• Victoria Presnal, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent, Carroll County, Northwest District
• Samantha Price, 4-H Extension agent, Houston County, Southwest District
• Abbie Salmon, 4-H Extension agent, Floyd County, Northeast District
• Katrina Searcy, 4-H Extension agent, Cook County, Southwest District
• Robyn Stewart, county Extension coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, Lincoln County, Northeast District
• Savannah Tanner, county Extension coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, Emanuel County, Southeast District
• Jennifer Tucker, associate professor, CAES Department of Animal and Dairy Science

The program is comprised of three institutes held during the academic year, each focused on personal and professional growth, leadership style, conflict resolution and more.

"Extension Academy for Professional Excellence empowers individuals to enhance their leadership skills and fosters a culture of continuous learning. Graduates from our program frequently take on leadership roles within UGA Extension, demonstrating the impact of our training. By equipping participants with the tools and knowledge they need to excel, we are investing not only in their professional growth but also in the future success of our organization and the communities we serve,” said Lauren Griffeth, UGA Extension leadership specialist and organizer of the academy.

In communities across Georgia, UGA Extension professionals are giving their neighbors access to the full scope of resources available at UGA, the birthplace of public higher education in the United States. To learn more, visit extension.uga.edu.