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NOMINATIONS FOR 2024 HEART OF EXTENSION AWARDS IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUBMITTED!
Arizona Cooperative Extension places an emphasis on recognizing and rewarding the people within Extension and the amazing work they do. This is done through our Heart of Extension awards program! These awards have been established to recognize and reward individuals who are at the heart of our mission. Whether that be out in the community, or supporting behind the scenes, their impact to Extension's efforts is felt and realized.
The awards are given to Extension personnel at any level or in any job category (staff, faculty, appointed personnel, etc.). Nominations can be submitted by any employee. The time-frame to consider for the award is July 1 - June, 30. Below is a non-exhaustive list of criteria the committee will use to judge the nominees:
• Consistently produces high quality work and is collegial while performing required and expected duties
• Works on special projects, collaborates cross-functionally, or serves on a committee or team either in the unit or in the community
• Demonstrates the ability to foster and promote a diverse and inclusive work environment and mindset
• Fosters and facilitates opportunities for stakeholders to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Stays open to and welcomes constructive feedback on their work and is constantly looking for ways to improve
• Maintains perseverance in the face of adversity
• Adds significant contributions to major projects or operations
• Makes special efforts to recognize excellence in others
• Constantly seeks to improve service to stakeholders by developing efficiencies, processes, cost savings, successful crisis management procedures, or other mechanisms leading to better outcomes
• Provides value-added input through effective communication and constructive feedback
• Demonstrates a willingness to work with others and assist whenever needed or requested and does so with a positive attitude
• Has an open mind to change and serves as a change agent for the local unit, team, and organization
• Readily adapts to new situations while actively seeking ways to advance beyond the status quo
• Creates a positive work environment and enhances the brand of the local unit, Extension, ALVSCE, and The University of Arizona!
Who will be this year's recipients of the 2024 Heart of Extension Awards?! Be sure to join us to celebrate your colleagues who will be named. And here's a list of previous winners!
2018 |
title |
county/unit |
Adonis Alamban |
Assistant in Extension |
La Paz County |
Renee Carstens |
Assistant Agent |
Gila County |
Joanie Contreras |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Pima County |
Yvonne Cooper |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Maricopa County |
Steve Gouker |
CED |
Navajo County |
Kim Horn |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Coconino County |
Maria Melendez |
Administrative Assistant |
Pinal County |
Channah Rock |
Associate Specialist |
SWES/MAC |
Sandra Saad |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Extension Administration |
2019 |
title |
county/unit |
Joyce Alves |
CED |
Apache County |
Dave Bogner |
Program Director |
CALES CCT |
Jon Callahan |
Custodian |
Pima County |
Lisa Elliott |
Business Manager |
Pinal County |
Brandie Gobble |
Administrative Associate |
Coconino County |
Delmi Ortega |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Maricopa County |
Kathryn Orzech |
Sr. Research Specialist |
SNAPEd, Nutritional Sciences |
Cindy Pearson |
Program Coordinator |
Graham County |
Ursula Schuch |
Specialist |
Plant Sciences |
Jennifer Smith |
Finance and Admin Coordinator |
Extension Administration |
*Elaine Mattes |
Administrative Associate |
CALES Administration |
2020 |
title |
county/unit |
Juan Arias |
Assistant Agent |
Gila County |
Kelly Arizmendi |
Sr. Info Services Coordinator |
Extension Administration |
Cassie Burruel |
Community Outreach Professional |
Pima County |
Jamie Campbell |
Program Coordinator |
Mohave County |
Alexendra Carlisle |
Assistant in Extension |
Navajo Nation Shiprock |
Mary Conner |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Maricopa County |
Tamara Floyd |
Community Outreach Professional |
Maricopa County |
Pamela Justice |
Program Coordinator |
Maricopa County |
Cathy Munger |
IT Manager |
Maricopa County |
Martha Salcedo |
Administrative Assistant |
Santa Cruz County |
**Jeff Silvertooth |
Director |
Extension Administration |
*Paco Ollerton |
Owner |
Tierra Verde Farms |
2021 |
title |
county/unit |
Gloria Blumanhourst |
Volunteer Systems Manager |
Extension Administration |
Esmeralda Castillo |
Program Coordinator |
Pinal County |
Pam Denney |
Finance and Administration Coordinator |
Yavapai County |
Elizabeth Greene |
Specialist |
ACBS |
Roxanne McInturff |
Administrative Secretary |
Gila County |
Rebecca Serratos |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Yavapai County |
2022 |
TITle |
county/unit |
Debbie Pettigrew |
Assistant in Extension |
La Paz County |
Connie Callahan |
Business Manager |
Pima County |
Lori Jaramillo |
Program Coordinator |
Apache County |
Ben Downer |
Program Coordinator |
Gila County |
Mary Barnes |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Yavapai County |
James "Jim" Jepsen |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
Pinal County |
George Stefanakis |
Program Coordinator |
Pima County |
Karen Pizzuto |
Manager, Finance & Admin. |
Yavapai County |
Hadeel Aborached |
Program Assistant |
Maricopa County |
Lynn Frazier |
Manager, Grants & Contracts |
ALVSCE |
Debbie Reed |
Sr. Program Coordinator |
ACBS |
Jan Groth |
Assistant in Extension |
Cochise County |
Deb Lester |
Director, 4-H Youth Foundation |
Extension Administration |
Liz Sparks |
Associate Agent |
Pima County |
Ginamarie Nieves |
Program Director |
Maricopa County |
Gayle Gratop |
Assistant in Extension |
Coconino County |
Josh Farella |
Assistant Agent |
Coconino County |
2023 |
TITle |
county/unit |
Debbie Curley |
Area Associate Agent |
Pima County |
Tamara Floyd |
Program Coordinator, Sr. - Family Resource Center |
Maricopa County |
Betsy Greene |
Extension Specialist - Equine/Horse |
ACBS |
Kathryn Orzech |
Program Coordinator |
Nutritional Sciences |
Christina Lipin |
Sr. Program Coordinator - AmeriCorps |
Norton School |
Esther Turner |
Associate Agent - 4-H Youth Development |
Pinal County |
Kyle Harrington |
Assistant in Extension - ANR Field Crops |
Maricopa County |
Joslyn Beard |
Extension Specialist - Livestock |
ACBS |
*denotes a recipient of the Friend of Extension Award
** denotes a recipient of the custom Honey Badger Award