Impact

Extension associate director named fellow with county commissioners organization

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Tara Mondock, Penn State Extension associate director for client relations, was appointed as the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania's Extension Fellow, effective July 1.

As the CCAP/Extension Fellow, Mondock will work with the association in Harrisburg, providing expertise to commissioners in the state's 67 counties to enhance the statewide partnership between the association and Penn State, while learning more about county and state agencies and offices.

Penn State Extension receives significant support from county governments across Pennsylvania and maintains an office in every county, through which it provides local educational programs and services. Extension also is supported by state and federal appropriations as part of Penn State's status as a land-grant university.

Mondock will collaborate with Penn State Extension and CCAP team members who support legislative and public affairs, research and technical services. She also will serve as a liaison to Extension's operations and program teams to help engage educational and technical assistance at the county level, while raising awareness about the association and extension programs across the Commonwealth.

"This appointment will help us to align Extension's newly created 'client relationship manager' positions with the county commissioners in each county," Mondock said. "Our goal is to better connect the unique needs of each county with the programs delivered through Extension. This move also allows us to make a more meaningful connection to the Extension leadership team and better leverage the assets of Penn State."

Doug Hill, CCAP executive director noted, "CCAP and counties in Pennsylvania look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Penn State Extension. Tara's expertise and insights will be of great value to our leadership and the residents of our counties."

Dennis Calvin, director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, said he believes the CCAP/Extension Fellow program is mutually beneficial for both county commissioners and Extension in serving the public.

"The better we understand the issues and challenges facing our county partners, the better we can bring our expertise to bear to craft solutions," he said. "As our organization evolves, this partnership is invaluable in helping us to provide the citizens and communities of the state with unbiased, research-based information."

Tara Mondock, Penn State Extension associate director for client relations. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated July 7, 2017

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