⑤ Connecting to Campus

• ⑤ Connecting to Campus

  • An Introduction to Connecting with Campus

    

    • The strength of Cooperative Extension is that our organization is positioned between communities and research institutions.  We help to elevate issues that need thought partners, and bring vetted responses and curriculum to audiences.  That said - there are many players and partners that make this a complicated model at times.  "Connecting" campus to counties and counties to campus can be tricky, but it is critical to our mission - and worth the investment of time.  
    • 
      
    • Learning to navigate the partnerships and relationships required to make connections will help you to succeed in your role within Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Below are a few strategies to get you started.

  • Mark as done

    Extension Administration

    • At some point you will likely have a need to connect to individuals who work within Extension Administration, other Associations, or Area Ag Teams.  To find contacts - explore the https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/staff-directory  (url). 
    • While exploring, note questions you might have and who might help you with these questions. 

    
    
  • Mark as done

    Program Leads on Campus - Program Contacts

    There are several program leads on campus - some that serve as Extension Administration Program Contacts (url). This team is also known as our CCE Critical Issue Leaders.  They function to:

    • Provide liaison between departments, centers, institutes, and programs
    • Provide leadership for selected statewide extension program initiatives
    • Foster research and extension integration
    • Foster professional development opportunities for CCE educators
    • Support Program Work Teams 

    
    Review: the list of Program contacts (url) and note potential connectors to help you to build relationships.  

  • Mark as done

    Program Leads on Campus - Department Extension Leaders (DELs)

    Department Extension Leaders (DELs) are appointed by the Department Chair with the approval of the Director of Extension.  Responsibilities of the DEL may vary by department and depend upon the size of the department - but essentially the DEL is the primary liaison with CCE Administration in matters related to Extension.  A DEL may be of professorial rank or a Senior Extension Associate.  

    • Find out who the DEL is in a Department that you are likely to connect with.  
    • Set your timer for 15 minutes, go the CCE Organizational Report (url), 
    1. search by Department name to find the DEL listed, then 
    2. click on Reports, Exports & Maps (find in navigation ribbon on top of page), and open the Campus Contacts (Excel) for a full list of Department Contacts.

  • Mark as done

    Program Work Teams (PWTs)

    PWTs were mentioned above in Topic 5: Personal & Professional Development.  Becoming a part of a PWT is, indeed a good way to get to know other staff from campus and Associations that have similar interests to you.  In a survey done in 2011, staff referred to PWTs as "the best way to form campus/county partnerships and get things done".  

    The idea for PWTs came out of a need to encourage communities of learning that bridged research and extension work.  They are defined as "affinity groups involving faculty and staff, extension educators, and external stakeholders". PWT's provide a mechanism through which faculty and extension educators connect with stakeholders in identifying issues, studying needs, creating educational materials, and designing learning experiences that address these issues and needs within specific content areas. 
    

    Getting added to the list for a PWT can mean that you tune in to list serve conversations to stay informed, or when you are ready - it will mean that you will work with others to lead efforts, events, or educational opportunities.  It does not have to be consuming, but it will broaden your network.

    • Review: PWTs Defined, Listed, and Supported (url)
    • Reach out to a PWT Co-Chair (url) in a topic that interests you to introduce yourself

  • Mark as done

    Finding Connections

    A common question is "how do I find out who is doing what on campus (or in Associations)"?  While it depends on what you are looking for - there are a number of simple ways to begin to answer that - particularly once you have a lead on a Department, topic or person.

    Set your timer for 20 minutes and poke around the following methods for finding connections:

    • Cornell People Search (url) - search any name, topic or Department at the top of the main Cornell page.
    • CCE Organizational Report (url) - search by Association, Area Ag Team, Department, or Program Work Team.  You can see full lists of names and contact information by clicking on "show all staff".  For Departments who have received Federal Capacity Funds - you will see a report about recent projects.
    • Projects that have been supported by NIFA's Federal Capacity Funding for research and extension work:
    • Smith-Lever (Extension projects) Reports (url) - Search on past reports, plan of work topical areas, by faculty (PI) or Department.  Results are shown by year that project was reported.  This is a great place to read up on a project or the work of Department.
    • Hatch (Research projects) Reports (url) - See list of all currently active projects with the PI noted, or see impacts of projects that have recently finished up.

    A summary of these suggestions for your files can be found here (pdf).

  • 

    H5P

    Knowledge Check Interactive Content

    Complete the activity