LEADING EDGE DIALOGUES

Leading Edge Dialogues will spotlight six critical issues facing our universities and our cities, with a series of 90-minute interactive sessions designed for Extension leaders. Leading Edge Dialogues will first feature an opening exploration of the issue by a multi-sector panel of experts from government agencies and non-profits, to private industry and potential funders, along with department based and Extension faculty. Then we will delve into an hour-long facilitated group discussion to capture attendee’s collective wisdom and inspire innovative thinking about new opportunities, prospects, solutions and partnerships to strengthen Extension’s work in our metropolitan centers.

The challenges of growth are not unique to major cities. Across the country, smaller cities are addressing the problems that come with an influx of population. Land grant universities and Extension, with our history in communities and our access to cutting edge research, have an opportunity to support our smaller cities in creating positive solutions to increasing population density as well as residents in larger cities working through adjusting to increasing densities and the associated social, economic, and environmental challenges associated with more people in smaller areas. Are Smart Cities the answer? This dialogue will explore innovations as well as policy opportunities to help cities implement a vision for their future.

Panelists:

· Ron Sims, Former Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

· Dr Thaisa Way, Director Urban@UW, University of Washington

· Barbara Tolbert, Mayor, City of Arlington, WA

The need for positive youth development has never been greater for both rural and urban youth alike. How can Extension be innovative in meeting the needs of youth in our cities in a competitive environment? What competencies do Extension professionals need when working with urban youth? This dialogue will explore innovative programs, partnerships and opportunities to insure that Extension youth development in the cities remains vital for another hundred years.

Panelists:

· Dr. Andy Turner, 4-H Program Leader, Cornell University Cooperative Extension

· Nia Imani Fields, Ed.D, 4-H Specialist and Principal Agent, University of Maryland Extension

· Andy Ferrin, National 4-H Council

· Boyd Owens, Senior Extension Director, South Carolina State University

The urban context of diversity, complexity, and scale require Extension professionals, with diverse backgrounds, to develop unique competencies. With diminishing budgets across traditional funding streams, staffing ratios that make direct education to urban populations difficult at best, and working in a backdrop of numerous public and private organizations to partner or compete with, the urban Extension professional requires unique skills. Topics of discussion will include: subject matter expertise versus transdisciplinary team development and management; the role of county directors and / or staff in resource and partnership development; and the hiring of new employees and updating the skills of existing employees.

Panelists:

· Dr Julie Fox, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Urban Engagement, The Ohio State University

· Brenda G. Rogers, M.S., District Extension Director, University of Florida IFAS Extension

· Dr. Allen Malone, 1890 Administrator, Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Program Unit, Alabama A&M University

Cities, large and small are struggling with how to address affordable housing, homelessness, serving aging populations and many other human service issues. To make informed and sound decisions, cities need an accurate understanding of current situations, the ability to predict future needs, and use data to evaluate and develop policy and programs. Land grant universities are well positioned to help cities through the use of data analysis and policy development. This dialogue will explore how LGU’s can assist governmental and nongovernmental agencies in data driven policy development and evaluation; adding to the program rich portfolio of Extension.

Panelists:

· Chris Fulcher, Director Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems, University of Missouri Extension

· Jon Morrison Winters, Planning and Development Specialist, Aging and Disability Services, City of Seattle.

· Emily Baranello, Vice President of the SAS Education Practice, SAS Inc.

Land-grant universities have a threefold mission: to advance knowledge, to apply knowledge, and to disseminate knowledge. In urban communities, there are increasing opportunities for Extension to lead or support the advancement and application of knowledge through community-based applied research; but this is not the traditional role for Extension. Topics of discussion will include: How does Extension identify campus-based expertise? How is community-based research rewarded within departmental promotion and tenure evaluation? What are potential early and easy wins for Extension?

Panelists:

· Dr Ivory Lyles, Director of Extension, University of Nevada Reno (invited)

· Dr Lou Swanson, Vice President for Engagement, Director of Extension, Colorado State University (invited)

· Dr. Mark Latimore, Jr., Extension Administrator and Director of Land Grant Affairs, Fort Valley University

· Dr. Brian Kraft, Assistant Vice President, Innovation and Research Engagement Office, Washington State University

Cities are getting smarter. New surveillance technologies help monitor traffic and enforce parking. First responders use camera systems to explore incident scenes for potentially hazardous materials or spills. Autonomous vehicles are being piloted. With these new technologies, governments and communities have concerns about safety, privacy, and equity. The key to successfully navigating these issues is trust. But building trust has never been more vital, nor more vexing than it is right now. Join us for a robust and enlightening discussion on the challenges of becoming trusted with an increasingly skeptical citizenry and the role Extension can play in bridging the gap between technological progress and public trust in our smart cities.

Panelists:

· Kim Zentz, P.E, MEM; CEO, Urbanova / Director Engineering and Technology Management, Washington State University

· Kevin Sanders, Owner and Principal Consultant, Becoming Trusted / Adjunct Professor of Marketing, Gonzaga University