Now that we had the full winter experience last week, from icy sidewalks to snow shoveling, cold temperatures, and cancelled flights, I am ready for spring.
While we wait for nicer weather, we have clearly moved into “awards season.” Congratulations to Doug Walsh and Javier Gutierrez Illan for their recent recognition by the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America. Doug received the C.W. Woodworth Award and Javier received the Distinguished Achievement in Teaching Award. I look forward to learning of more CAHNRS award recipients in the coming months. Keep up the great work!
Research reviews are also underway. This week I attended many faculty presentations that provided research updates on work that supports the grain industry. Things don’t always work out due to travel or other commitments, but with this review held in Pullman, it’s easier to attend and interact with growers who come into town for the day.
The Academic Affairs Program Optimization Committee meets this week. The subcommittees (instruction, teaching, outreach, and service) will begin their work. Despite a short timeline, I am optimistic the Academic Affairs Program Optimization Committee will develop something of use for President-elect Cantwell. Holly Henning sits on the instruction subcommittee, while I sit on the outreach subcommittee. As the only person on the committee who has held an Extension appointment, I consider Extension quite different from outreach or service. I am keenly interested in this first subcommittee conversation, in addition to the work of the larger effort.
Because I am reading annual review documents these next few weeks, I am reminded of the need to better articulate the differences between Extension, outreach, and service. There’s no better time to be clearer about the condition changes that occur due to intentional, sustained engagement with community partners, which is made possible by federal capacity funds currently under scrutiny.
Times are crazy. We will get through it, despite setbacks and frustrations along the way. For this week, stay warm everyone!