The NUEL steering committee is composed of 17 people including three representatives from each of Extension Committee on Organization and Policy’s (ECOP) five regions, 1890 Region, North Central Region, Northeast Region, Southern Region and Western Region, one from ECOP and one from NIFA. The steering committee provides overall direction and assumes an active role in decision-making. The idea is to maintain a balanced representation from each region and to retain institutional knowledge. Steering committee members serve a two year term. The steering committee meets on a monthly basis via conference calls.
Current Members:
North Central Region
Sonia Lopez, Vice Chair, NUEL
Community Health Educator
Enterprise Center
2205 Enterprise Drive, Suite 501
Westchester, IL 60154
(708) 449-4320
slopez2@illinois.edu
Sonia Lopez is an Illinois Extension educator serving Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Sonia earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Sonia’s expertise includes partnership development, assessment, program planning and evaluation, coalition building, grant management, and staff training. Sonia fosters physical and mental well-being through community health programming aimed at reducing health disparities. Sonia strongly believes in the value of health education as a tool to enhance resilience and social connections among marginalized communities. Sonia enjoys reading, hiking, Yoga, Pilates, and spending time with loved ones.
Dr. Marie A. Ruemenapp, Ph.D, National Urban Extension Conference Action Team Co-chair
Extension Outreach Specialist & Co-Director Urban Collaborators
Michigan State University Extension & School of Planning, Design and Construction
Human Ecology Building, 552 W. Circle Dr., Room 112, East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: 517-355-3378(office) 989-284-6443(cell)
Marie A. Ruemenapp is an Extension outreach specialist and the co-director of the Urban Collaborators in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University. She is one of the founding members of NUEL and is recognized nationally as an expert in Extension’s urban work. Ruemenapp has over 30 years of community-based Extension experience with Michigan State University in program planning and evaluation; employee recruitment, hiring, training and supervision; fiscal and grant management; partnership building; and organizational leadership. She has led numerous local, regional, statewide and national Extension initiatives. Ruemenapp has provided effective leadership and supervision to multiple, large teams of diverse staff across broad geographic areas. She has a broad set of experiences working and networking with a broad variety of people and organizations effectively, including community and political leaders, as well as campus-based administrators, faculty and staff. Ruemenapp holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, a Master’s degree in Family and Child Ecology Community Services with a minor in community development, and a Doctorate in Planning, Design and Construction with an emphasis in Urban and Regional Planning, all from Michigan State University.
Tara Markley, Regional Network Chair
Johnson County Extension Director & Community Development Agent
K-State Research & Extension
11811 S. Sunse Drive, Suite 1500
Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 715-7000
Tara Markley serves as the Director for Kansas State University Extension in Johnson County, where she has led for the past seven years. In this role, she oversees financial operations, supervises 19 staff, and supports more than 1,100 volunteers in the most populated county in Kansas. Her expertise includes facilitation, leadership, program development, and community vitality programs. Tara’s involvement with NUEL began with the Leadership in the City course, where she strengthened her understanding of the complexities of urban Extension and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to elevate this work.
Tara earned her B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University and her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University. Before becoming director, she served as the 4-H Youth Development Agent in Johnson County for four years and previously worked with nonprofit youth development organizations. Tara grew up on her family farm in central Illinois and brings a lifelong connection to local food and community service. She enjoys cut flower gardening and spending time with her family.
Northeast Region
Cara L. Cuite, PH.D.
Associate Extension Specialist/Associate Professor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
55 Dudley Road
Cook Office Building, Room 217
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8559
848-932-4544
cuite@rutgers.edu
Cara Cuite is an Associate Extension Specialist and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University. Dr. Cuite is a health psychologist whose most recent work focuses on food security within urban communities as well as at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. She also studies public perceptions of food-related issues, including food safety and genetically engineered foods, and how to best communicate about weather-related emergencies and climate change. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and New Jersey Sea Grant. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University and a B.S. in Psychology and Modern Languages from Union College.
Jacqueline Kowalski, M.A., Regional Network Chair
Associate Extension Educator-Urban Agriculture
University of Connecticut
67 Stony Hill Rd.
Bethel, CT 06801
Jacqueline.kowalski@uconn.edu
Jacqueline is an Associate Extension Educator, and the state urban agriculture lead for the University of Connecticut Extension. Her current work aims to increase agricultural production in Connecticut’s metro areas. She directs the UConn-Urban Farmer Training Program and grant-funded projects to increase land availability for urban farmers and natural resource conservation in cities. She received her M.A. in Education from the University of the Virgin Islands and her B.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Before her current role, she served as an Extension Educator for Ohio State University and as the Director of Horticulture for the Government of the Virgin Islands.
Robin Perry-Smith, MHA, National Urban Extension Leaders Engagement Action Team Co-chair
Extension Educator, Strategic Initiatives & Urban Engagement
Penn State Extension
1451 Peters Mountain Road
Dauphin, PA 17018-9504
717-921-8803
rms258@psu.edu
Robin Perry-Smith is a seasoned Educator with over 25 years of experience in public health. Robin holds a MHA in Health Administration with a minor in Health Education from The Pennsylvania State University.
In her current role, Robin delivers diverse educational programs and resources specifically tailored to the needs of residents living in urban areas, addressing issues like food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, community development, and more, often by building strong relationships with local organizations and community leaders within the city environment. She is actively involved with the National Urban Extension Leaders and contributes to national initiatives to enhance urban Extension programs. Robin is committed to the land grant mission and is developing innovative educational programs to address urban issues.
Southern Region
Dr. Chiquita Briley, Regional Network Chair
Louisiana State University
Assistant Extension Director, Urban Programs
202 Knapp Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 578-0394
Dr. Chiquita Briley is currently the Assistant Extension Director with a focus on Urban Programs at the LSU AgCenter. Previously, Dr. Briley was the Southeast Regional Director and supervised 16 parishes that included the three largest urban parishes in the state. Dr. Briley has 23 years of work experience in Extension. Those positions were EFNEP Supervisor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Program Coordinator of the FF: NEWS (SNAP-ed) Program at Southern University Agricultural Center, Nutrition Specialist and Assistant/Associate Professor at Mississippi State University and Department Chair /Extension Specialist of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University (Human Sciences).
Dr. Briley’s area of study is Human Sciences with a focus on Community-based Nutrition. The focus of her research and extension publications are the social and cultural aspects of food choice of families. She has trained various extension agents, county/parish and community groups related to working with diverse audiences.
Dr. Briley graduated from Southern University A&M College in Home Economics (Nutrition), Masters and Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Human Sciences.
Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, Secretary NUEL & Professional Development Action Team Chair
Regional Specialized Agent, Urban Sustainability
12520 Ulmerton Rd.
Largo, FL 33774
Ph: (727) 582-2910
Ramona Madhosingh-Hector is a Regional Specialized Agent in Urban Sustainability for the University of Florida/IFAS Extension and works in the Southwest Extension District. Since 2010, she has developed educational programs that support and advance the region’s commitment to sustainability including programs focused on resource efficiency, community sustainability, and food systems. Ramona has a MSP in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University, a MS in Environmental Science from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and a BS in Agriculture from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.
Katherine R. Williams
Wake County Extension Director, North Carolina State University Extension
4001-E Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
919-250-1109
katherine_williams@wakegov.com
Katherine R. Williams has spent 25 years working with NC Cooperative Extension and with Wake County Government. Ms. Williams is a native North Carolinian. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters in Extension Education both from North Carolina State University. Katherine spent 17 years as Program Manager of a diverse 4-H program that integrates prevention and educational efforts within school, community, and neighborhood settings and leveraged more than $ 1.2 million dollars annually to support positive youth development throughout the County. Professionally, she has pioneered strategic urban partnerships, community youth development and organizational change. In her role as Extension Agent, Katherine served for five years as the Manager for Wake’s Human Capital Development campaign mobilizing public and community-based resources in support of human development opportunities for low wealth families and collective impact models that track consumer results. In 2013, she was named Wake County Extension Director. Katherine served for 6 years as the Chair of the Youth Thrive K-12 Collective Impact Initiative in Wake County; and is currently helping to lead Regional Food System development efforts in the Triangle and Social & Economic Vitality Initiatives in vulnerable areas. Katherine has served on the Steering Committee for the National Urban Extension Leaders since 2015. She is married and has two beautiful daughters.
Western Region
Edward C Martin, Extension Committee on Organization and Policy Representative
Associate Vice President and Director of the Arizona Cooperative Extension System
Irrigation Specialist & Professor
State Administration Office
1140 E South Campus Dr
Forbes Bldg. 301
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
520-621-7145
Edward C. Martin received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology and Systems Management from Michigan State University. He has been with the University of Arizona since 1992, where he began his tenure as an Extension Specialist in Irrigation with the Biosystems Engineering Department with his office located at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. His research centered on the efficient and effective management of agricultural irrigation water. Concentrating on on-farm management, Dr. Martin researched crop water use and helped develop the AZSCHED (Arizona Irrigation Scheduling) program that helped growers better apply and manage their irrigation water applications. He also has worked on water quality issues, looking at the effects of manure and compost applications. He has done extensive work on the Navajo Nation, promoting gravity-fed drip irrigation systems. His demonstration and research projects have been installed at the Hubbell Trading Post, in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and at community and family farms throughout the Navajo Nation.
Dr. Martin has served as the Associate Director for Extension, Program Leader for the Agriculture and Natural Resource programs, and the County Extension Director for Maricopa County at the University of Arizona. In 2023, he was appointed Associate Vice President and Director of UArizona Cooperative Extension. His responsibilities encompass guiding a team of over 500 employees across all 15 counties and five tribal nations, delivering services ranging from early childhood health screenings to agricultural research and youth development. Dr. Martin plays a pivotal role in collaborating with local partners to improve lives, communities, economies, and the environment throughout the state. With a strong focus on water, he aligns with Arizona’s most pressing concerns and ensures that Extension remains agile to adapt to evolving community needs. His role is instrumental in shaping the future of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension, effectively serving the people and industries of the state.
Keith C. Nathaniel, Ed.D, Regional Network Chair
County Director/4-H Youth Development Advisor
700 W. Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 586-1970
kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu
Keith serves as the Cooperative Extension County Director in Los Angeles. In this role, he provides administrative leadership and support to academic staff to promote, advance and advocate University of California Cooperative Extension programs and services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. In addition, Keith is the 4-H Youth development Advisor and provides the academic leadership and the research agenda for the county 4-H program.
In his role, Keith collaborates with out of school program professionals throughout Los Angeles County, including identifying, selecting, orienting, training, motivating, guiding and coaching. He works with youth development professionals to identify priorities and to structure strategies to address them. He conducts research projects designed to inform and shape youth development programs. Projects are based on core issues identified by the University of California and promote positive youth development. One goal is to create community of programs that provide quality out of school experiences for youth.
Keith is also part of a national research study – a multistate education/extension and research activity (NCERA215) – designed to foster youth-adult partnerships that encourage active participation in community-oriented activities, often over many years. This research helps determine how these unique partnerships contribute to the wellbeing of youth and of the greater community in which the 4‑H development program is based. The project explores the role of 4‑H community-focused programming in developing social capital not only for participants, youth and volunteers, but also for the community at large. The project identifies emerging issues and trends in youth development and design protocols and strategies for addressing them locally.
1890 Region
Anthony Tuggle, Chair NUEL
Rutherford County Extension Director
Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee
315 John R Rice Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
615-898-7710
atuggle@tnstate.edu
Anthony Tuggle began work for the Rutherford County Extension Service in 1995 working as a 4-H/Agricultural Agent. Anthony came to Tennessee Extension after graduating from Alcorn State University with a BS in Agriculture Economics and a MS in Animal Science. He has worked for UT/TSU Extension for 27 years. He has served as County Extension Director for 13 years becoming the first TSU paid employee hired to oversee both UT and TSU programs as county director. As County Director, he is responsible for the day to day operations of the office.
Dr. Gulnihal (Rose) Ozbay
Associate Dean for Extension and Applied Research
Delaware State University
Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources
1200 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901-2277
302.857.6476
Dr. Gulnihal (Rose) Ozbay is an Associate Dean for Extension and Applied Research and Professor of Natural Resources and the Director of Integrative Ph.D. Program in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Center for Integrated Biological and Environmental Research, and ONE Health Lab in the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Delaware State University. She received her Ph.D. in Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama in 2002. She conducted research assisting with the development of aquaculture effluent water quality standards for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as her Ph.D. project. She received her M.Sc. in Bio-resource Engineering with Concentrations on Marine Bio-resources at the University of Maine, Orono, Maine in 1996. Her B.Sc. was in Fisheries and Aquaculture Engineering in Turkey in 1991. She received M.Sc. second time in the Food Science and Biotechnology Graduate Program from Delaware State University in 2016.
Shannon R. Wiley, Ph.D.
Regional Extension Director – Urban Region
North Carolina A&T State University
Dr. Shannon R. Wiley serves as the Regional Extension Director for the Urban Region at North Carolina A&T State University, where she provides leadership and oversight to Cooperative Extension operations across 24 counties. In this role, Dr. Wiley leads regional assessments, supports county programming, and collaborates with local, state, and university partners to ensure strategic and impactful outreach to urban communities.
With over 17 years of experience in Cooperative Extension and community-based education, Dr. Wiley has served in numerous roles including Interim Regional Extension Director for the East Region, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, 4-H Extension Associate, and 4-H Agent. Her work has focused on youth development, leadership development, volunteer training, community education, and community engagement. She has developed teen leadership programming such as Leaders in Training (4-H LiT) and 4-H Leadership Ambassadors, and secured over $1 million in funding from organizations such as USDA, National 4-H Council, and Microsoft.
Dr. Wiley also holds a faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor at NC A&T, teaching AGED 408: Agricultural Extension Organization & Methods. Her research and instruction focuses on Extension education and adult learning. Her dissertation, Professional Learning in Cooperative Extension: Understanding Opportunities for Social Learning and the Use of Computer-Mediated Technologies, reflects her commitment to advancing Extension through innovation and collaboration.
Dr. Wiley earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in Agricultural Education from North Carolina A&T State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Animal Science, also from NC A&T.
A champion for inclusive programming and educator development, Dr. Wiley is committed to cultivating a strong, adaptive, and community-centered Extension system that addresses real-world needs and empowers underserved populations across North Carolina.
Representatives
Jessica Shade, PhD, USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture Representative
National Program Leader
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Location: California, CA
Phone 831-278-2073
Jessica.Shade@usda.gov
Dr. Jessica Shade is a National Program Leader at USDA NIFA, in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, Division of Plant Systems – Production. In this role, she directs programs helping food and agriculture stakeholders overcome large-scale challenges. She received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
Edward C Martin, Extension Committee on Organization and Policy Representative
Associate Vice President and Director of the Arizona Cooperative Extension System
Irrigation Specialist & Professor
State Administration Office
1140 E South Campus Dr
Forbes Bldg. 301
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
520-621-7145
Edward C. Martin received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Technology and Systems Management from Michigan State University. He has been with the University of Arizona since 1992, where he began his tenure as an Extension Specialist in Irrigation with the Biosystems Engineering Department with his office located at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. His research centered on the efficient and effective management of agricultural irrigation water. Concentrating on on-farm management, Dr. Martin researched crop water use and helped develop the AZSCHED (Arizona Irrigation Scheduling) program that helped growers better apply and manage their irrigation water applications. He also has worked on water quality issues, looking at the effects of manure and compost applications. He has done extensive work on the Navajo Nation, promoting gravity-fed drip irrigation systems. His demonstration and research projects have been installed at the Hubbell Trading Post, in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and at community and family farms throughout the Navajo Nation.
Dr. Martin has served as the Associate Director for Extension, Program Leader for the Agriculture and Natural Resource programs, and the County Extension Director for Maricopa County at the University of Arizona. In 2023, he was appointed Associate Vice President and Director of UArizona Cooperative Extension. His responsibilities encompass guiding a team of over 500 employees across all 15 counties and five tribal nations, delivering services ranging from early childhood health screenings to agricultural research and youth development. Dr. Martin plays a pivotal role in collaborating with local partners to improve lives, communities, economies, and the environment throughout the state. With a strong focus on water, he aligns with Arizona’s most pressing concerns and ensures that Extension remains agile to adapt to evolving community needs. His role is instrumental in shaping the future of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension, effectively serving the people and industries of the state.
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