Author: jaime

The Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) has announced the members of its fifth cohort—a dynamic group of aspiring leaders representing a variety of program teams, specializations and regions across South Carolina. Members of our fifth cohort include DeAndra Cooper, Clemson University; Sharneece Gary, Clemson University; Geri Jenkins, Clemson University; Alyssa Jones, Clemson University; Dr. Nana Kusi, SC State University; Rushawnda Olden, Clemson University; Boyd Owens, SC State University; Tyrone Williams, SC State University; and Joyce Wilson, SC State University. Each brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to support the mission of Cooperative Extension.

This year’s cohort reflects the continued partnership between Clemson University and South Carolina State University in providing outstanding service to the citizens of South Carolina.

EELI is a professional development program designed for Extension and the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) professionals and staff committed to advancing Extension’s mission. The program seeks individuals with the highest ethical standards who have demonstrated potential as future leaders. Cohorts are intentionally diverse in background and experience, fostering a rich and rewarding learning environment.

Each year, up to 15 professionals from the county or state levels are selected for the program. To be eligible, candidates must have at least three full years of Extension/CAFLS employment, three consecutive annual performance ratings of “Successful” or higher and no written or progressive discipline actions from Human Resources in the past two years.

Through EELI, participants gain leadership skills, broaden their professional networks and prepare to take on greater responsibilities in serving communities across the state. You can learn more about EELI and past cohorts by visiting our website.

Sherry Davis-Livingston has served as the Senior 4-H/Youth Development Agent and County Coordinator in Georgetown County for more than 30 years.

“Mind-blowing” best describes the beginning and end of the EELI experience. I believe “Great Leaders” reinforce what they already know, whether organizational values or core competencies. I was introduced to leaders that truly reinforced the importance of advocates, demonstrated and provided a challenge, empowerment, accountability, and modeled the way for others to follow. The union between Clemson University and 1890 Research & Extension of South Carolina State University was commendable and way overdue. It was a delight to be a part of such a wonderful class! “Leadership It’s Not About You” is as powerful as it gets!

Over the past year, I had great opportunities for new partnerships. These include The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown County School Summer Lunch Project, Georgetown County Libraries, and Georgetown County 4-H Community Gardening Project. I have also recently received several awards. These include the 2020 CAFLS Outstanding Service Award, Georgetown County Community Service Award, 4-H Distinguished Service Award, 4-H Meritorious Service Award, and 25 Years of Service Award.

Katie Collins is a Water Resources Agent in Sumter County. She has been with Clemson Extension for almost six years and recently hosted one of her favorite programs in all that time. Katie has worked with Karen Jackson to create and grow the Stream Bank Repair program for over two years. This program helps homeowners, land managers, and park staff to reduce erosion along streams using simple and cost-effective strategies. After seeing a need to increase knowledge of and appreciation for local streams in Sumter County, Katie hosted an event called “Love Your Stream: An evening at Shot Pouch Branch.” Local families and students gathered at Dillon Park to learn about their local stream, sample aquatic macroinvertebrates, and install native plants along the streambank to reduce erosion. Of the participants who participated in a follow-up survey, 100% said they gained new knowledge from the event, and it would impact their future decisions and behavior. While those are encouraging results to report, Katie’s favorite review came from a local Master Gardener’s grandson, who participated in the program. He gave her a big hug and told her, “Thank you for doing this. It really meant a lot to me.” That’s what extension work is all about, making a lasting impact on our local communities that improves the lives of South Carolina residents.

Alana West has been the 4-H Youth Development Agent in Newberry County for almost 11 years, having returned to her hometown after serving in the same role in Cherokee County for 4 years. The Newberry County 4-H Program has been successful with in-school enrichment, as well as workshops, independent projects, and clubs covering the topics 4-H offers: agriculture, natural resources, STEM, healthy lifestyles, and leadership. Prior to COVID, Newberry County 4-H was reaching over 30% of 4-H aged youth within the county.

As the ‘senior’ 4-H Agent in the Midlands, by years of service and not age, Alana works to make the job easier on other 4-H Agents in the region. By offering a holiday workday and lunch at her house during the Christmas season, establishing an email distribution list for these ten agents, working on regional or multi-county projects as a team, and other inclusive endeavors, a feeling of comradery has been established. Not only does the Midlands 4-H Region boast higher participation levels and completion rates within 4-H opportunities than other regions within the state, but they have won multiple awards for their programs through professional associations such as SCACAA, SCAE4HA, NACAA, and NAE4HYDP. In response, their working relationships and successes have not gone unnoticed.

Alana hopes that the recently released SC 4-H Strategic Plan, which includes four Regional 4-H Agents that would serve as mentors to the agents within the respective region, will serve as a catalyst for similar relationships and success within all 4-H regions of South Carolina, eventually boosting morale and accomplishments.

Guinn Wallover is a District Water Resources Agent, serving seven counties that stretch from Charleston to Horry County. She also serves as Coordinator of the Master Pond Manager program and County Coordinator of the Charleston County office.

Guinn has enjoyed EELI and the opportunities for self-reflection it has provided. During her shadowing experience, Guinn’s “leader” emphasized that great leaders aren’t necessarily leaders in name or title, but more by the example they set in their work or life. This is a reminder that Guinn continues to try to incorporate into her work and interactions with colleagues and the public both in the office and field.

Over the past year, Guinn has appreciated the opportunity to work with Clemson Extension Agents (including fellow EELI 2021-2022 participant, Karen Jackson) and staff from DHEC’s Dam Safety Program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service to launch the Dam Ownership in South Carolina class. This free, six-part online course is designed to help dam owners and operators understand the basic concepts to protect the integrity and benefit of their dam. This online course instructs South Carolina dam owners in the basics of dam design, inspection and maintenance techniques, how to develop a dam repair plan, and much more. Since its launch in May 2021, more than 160 dam owners or operators across the state have participated in the Dam Ownership in South Carolina class.

Renee Hall is a 4-H Agent with SC State University’s 1890 Extension Service.  She has enjoyed these past months participating in Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative and getting to know so many awesome colleagues!

Renee has worked with youth in numerous capacities over the past 30 years and her greatest passion is investing in the lives of others, particularly young people.  There is nothing that excites her more than seeing children and teens experience an “A-ha moment!”  She says that her work via SC State’s 1890 Extension Program and 4-H is so fulfilling, and she is one blessed lady!

The 4-H Thriving Champion Regional Network consists of 60 4-H professionals across the five Extension Regions of the country, and Renee is super-excited to have been chosen as one of your Regional PYD Thriving Champions for the Southern Region of the US!

She looks forward to working with other youth development colleagues across our region advancing the consistent use of the 4-H Thriving Model as the theory of positive youth development for 4-H.  It is sure to be an exciting two to three years in Extension!

For more information about the Thriving Model see the website:

4-H Thriving Model of PYD – Informed by Science – Grounded in Practice (extension.org)

In May 2021, Yashia Marshall received her Master’s in Public Administration from Clemson University. Her current role at CU is a Grants Coordinator II, where she has been for six years. The office serves the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) and Public Service Agriculture (PSA) with all grant submissions.

While earning her advanced degree, she was given the opportunity to volunteer with two organizations that she is passionate about- The United Way of the Lakelands (Greenwood) and PreDestined Outreach (Easley). Both experiences provided an appreciation for the nonprofit sector of Public Administration. The opportunity to serve taught Yashia how to lead by action and behavior.  She believes that she can use these experiences, knowledge gained from the M.P.A program and other skills obtained in her current position.

She is a new member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and she plans to use her experiences and membership to continue promoting service, leadership, equality, and equity.

Dr. Jeremy K. Greene serves as Professor of Entomology and Interim Associate Department Chair (ADC) in Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) at Clemson University.  Most of Dr. Greene’s position responsibilities are to conduct original research on insects important in row-crop agriculture, develop recommendations regarding management of pestiferous species, and extend that information to others, especially Extension audiences (e.g. his award-winning seasonal newsletter of 16 years – https://www.clemson.edu//extension/agronomy/cotton1/newsletters.html).  Another part of Dr. Greene’s current role at Clemson University is to support the chair of PES in the administration of the largest department in CAFLS.  Within the last 9 months as ADC of PES and with the help of selected faculty on an ad-hoc committee, Dr. Greene was able to successfully refine the Categories of Communication under the Extension tab in Digital Measures to help streamline the evaluation of Extension faculty.  Because Dr. Greene was instrumental in getting the main tab of ‘Extension’ and revised categories of reporting communications incorporated into Digital Measures, all Extension faculty at Clemson University now have a well-defined and “Extension-branded” location to report Extension accomplishments annually.

Katie Shaw leads the 4-H Horse Project and State 4-H Teen Council through Clemson Extension. She has enjoyed EELI by gaining knowledge and perspective to help further develop her program and project teams. With the help of her 4-H horse project team, Katie marks her 15^th national 4-H horse award with Clemson University.

Katie has organized the 4-H horse project events, activities, and coached youth for regional and national horse educational contests in her current role. She also advises the youth elected to State 4-H Teen Council to plan state programs and events, including 4-H Congress, SC 4-H Legislative Day, and Junior/Senior Weekend. As a South Carolina 4-H Alumni, Katie enjoys connecting Clemson Extension’s past, present, and future.

Since joining the Clemson University family, Katie has served as the Laurens County 4-H Agent (12 years) and the SC 4-H Equine Specialist (3 years). As an agent, she also served as the SC 4-H Horse Program Assistant for six years. In 2016, she received the Clemson University Alumni Award for Cooperative Extension Distinguished Public Service.

Katie is now working towards her Doctor of Philosophy in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, emphasizing youth development at Clemson University.

Current and former EELI participants won several awards during the joint conference of the SC Association of County Agriculture Agents and SC Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Below is a list of the awards that our EELI participants were a part of. Some of these awards also included non-EELI participants.

See below for a short video highlighting all of the award winners!