Careers in Extension Entomology: Strategies for Applied Research, Education, and Student Success

Organizer(s)

• JK

  Joanie King

  New Mexico State University
  Las Cruces, New Mexico
• 

  Max Schmidtbauer

  Undergraduate Researcher
  Agricultural Biology
  Colorado State University
  Fort Collins, Colorado
• 

  Melissa Schreiner

  Entomologist
  Extension
  Colorado State University
  Grand Junction, Colorado
• LM

  Lisa Mason

  Extension
  Colorado State University
  Centennial, Colorado
• 

  Tawny Simisky (she/her/hers)

  Entomologist
  Extension: Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry
  University of Massachusetts
  Amherst, Massachusetts
• 

  Houston Wilson (he/him/his)

  Assoc. Cooperative Extension Specialist
  Department of Entomology
  University of California
  Parlier, California
• 

  Kadie Britt

  IPM Program Manager
  Department of Agricultural Biology
  Colorado State University
  Denver, Colorado
• SR

  Silvia Rondon

  Oregon State University
  Corvallis, Oregon
• KG

  Karim Gharbi

  Extension
  Colorado State University
  Denver, Colorado

Highlighting the role of entomologists in pest management, agriculture, and Extension, this symposium features presentations and a panel discussion on career paths, mentorship, and student success, aiming to inspire and support the next generation of leaders in insect science through networking and real-world insights.

Presentations:

• 1:30 PM – 1:35 PM MST

  Introductory remarks
  

  Presenting Author: Melissa Schreiner – Colorado State University
• 1:35 PM – 1:50 PM MST

  Performative DEI and the need for data-driven policy
  

  Presenting Author: Raul F. Medina – Texas A&M University
• 1:50 PM – 2:05 PM MST

  Involving students in the extension process
  

  Presenting Author: Joanie King – New Mexico State University

  Co-Author: Esther Heerema – Texas Tech University
• 2:05 PM – 2:20 PM MST

  Complete metamorphosis, cultivating the next generation of extension entomologists
  

  Presenting Author: Max R. Schmidtbauer – Colorado State University
• 2:20 PM – 2:35 PM MST

  Strategies for entomologist's well-being: The art of balance in extension
  

  Presenting Author: Melissa Schreiner – Colorado State University
• 2:35 PM – 2:45 PM MST

  Break
• 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM MST

  Engagement strategies and communication tools for a successful extension career
  

  Presenting Author: Lisa Mason – Colorado State University
• 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM MST

  Master Gardener volunteers: Leveraging community networks towards effective outreach
  

  Presenting Author: Seth Whitehouse (he/him/his) – University of Tennessee
• 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM MST

  One year as an extension educator: Finding connections between entomology and pesticide safety education
  

  Presenting Author: Sally Nelson (she/her/hers) – University of Minnesota Extension
• 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM MST

  Applied field of turfgrass entomology in the Northeast: Impacts and challenges
  

  Presenting Author: Olga Kostromytska – University of Massachusetts
• 3:45 PM – 3:55 PM MST

  Break
• 3:55 PM – 4:10 PM MST

  Have you read the extension professional's creed? I hadn't!
  

  Presenting Author: Tawny Simisky (she/her/hers) – University of Massachusetts
• 4:10 PM – 4:25 PM MST

  Starting a career in extension: Early-career perspectives
  

  Presenting Author: Alireza Shokoohi (he/him/his) – UMass Extension

  Co-Author: Nicole Bell – University of Massachussetts
• 4:25 PM – 4:40 PM MST

  Bridging the gap: How integrating extension into graduate programs can prepare students for future careers
  

  Presenting Author: Emily Althoff – University of Minnesota
• 4:40 PM – 5:25 PM MST

  Panel discussion
  

  Panelist: Thomas P. Kuhar – Virginia Tech

  Panelist: William Hutchison – University of Minnesota
• 5:25 PM – 5:30 PM MST

  Closing remarks
  

  Presenting Author: Melissa Schreiner – Colorado State University