Steven joined UC ANR in 2001 as a state 4-H program representative. In 2009, he became the 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) coordinator. After earning his Ph.D. in 2016, he joined UC Cooperative Extension as a 4-H youth development advisor.
UC ANR's Strategic Initiative leaders work with their respective strategic initiative panels to improve communication, highlight research/extension gaps, and conduct detailed panel meetings. SI Leaders represent their panels, program teams and statewide programs/institutes at Program Council, providing programmatic input into resource allocation recommendations.
Steven joins SI leaders Helen Dahlke for Water Quality, Quantity and Security; Josh Davy for Sustainable Natural Ecosystems; Rachel Surls for Sustainable Food Systems; and Tom Turini for Endemic and Invasive Pests.
We are grateful to Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty for serving as the previous SI leader for Healthy Families & Communities.
Brent Hales
Associate Vice President
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
ANR is seeking leaders for two strategic initiatives: Healthy Families and Communities and Sustainable Food Systems. The new Healthy Families and Communities leader will start on Nov. 1, and the new Sustainable Food Systems leader will start on Jan. 1, 2024.
SI leaders work with their panels to help people connect while unifying, communicating and advocating for UC ANR's work internally and across the state. SI leaders seek information from their panel members to help inform discussions related to programmatic resources within ANR.
Panels vary in their frequency and duration of meetings (1 to 2 hours per month on average). The SI leaders meet monthly (2 hours) and represent their panels on Program Council (up to 8 hours/month), which provides input for programmatic policy and direction for the organization. Program Council meets the first Tuesday and subsequent Wednesday of each month (except August).
These meetings may be via Zoom, in person at the UC ANR building in Davis or at a research and extension center. These are mandatory meetings and SI leaders receive a stipend.
To apply for an SI leader position, visit https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=40584 and fill out the brief form. The deadline for applications is Sept. 29.
To learn more about the SI leader role, feel free to reach out to Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty forHealthy Families and Communities or Rachel Surls for Sustainable Food Systems.
[Updated 9/14/23 to revise Program Council meetings from 6 hours to up to 8 hours]
Tom and Josh join SI leaders Helen Dahlke for Water Quality, Quantity and Security, Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty for Healthy Families & Communities, and Rachel Surls for Sustainable Food Systems.
UC ANR's Strategic Initiative leaders work with their respective strategic initiative panels to improve communication, highlight research/extension gaps, and conduct detailed panel meetings. SI Leaders represent their panels, program teams and statewide programs/institutes at Program Council providing programmatic input into resource allocation recommendations.
We are grateful to Jim Farrar for his service as SI leader for Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases. Jim also served as the lead SI leader during the transition to the new associate vice president. We are also grateful to David Lewis, who served as SI leader for Water Quality, Quantity and Security before leading Sustainable Natural Ecosystems.
Brent Hales
Associate Vice President
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
ANR is seeking leaders for three Strategic Initiatives: Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases, Sustainable Natural Ecosystems, and Sustainable Food Systems. The Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases and the Sustainable Natural Ecosystems Strategic Initiatives terms will seat a new leader on July 1. The Sustainable Food Systems SI's new leader will begin Jan. 1.
SI leaders work with their panels to help people connect while unifying, communicating and advocating for UC ANR's work internally and across the state. SI Leaders seek information from their panel members to help inform discussions related to programmatic resources within ANR.
Panels vary in their frequency and duration of meetings (1 to 2 hours per month on average). The SI leaders meet monthly (2 hours) and represent their panels on Program Council (6 hours/month), which provides input for programmatic policy and direction for the organization. Program Council meets the first Tuesday and subsequent Wednesday of each month (except August). These meetings may be via Zoom or in person at the UC ANR building in Davis or a Research and Extension Center. These are mandatory meetings and SI Leaders will receive a stipend.
To apply for an SI Leader position, visit https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=40584. It takes no more than 10 minutes. Feel free to reach out to David Lewis for Sustainable Natural Ecosystems, Jim Farrar for Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases or Rachel Surls for Sustainable Food Systems if you have questions. Applications are open until May 19.
- Author: Mark Bell
Unify-Communicate-Advocate
The UC ANR Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought - drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to 1) help people connect and 2) to help them identify and address issues of current and emerging importance.
Help our new people get up and running
We have a lot of information now available on our UC ANR Learning and Development site to help people get Programmatically Oriented. Programmatic orientation will be May 10.
Please share the link https://ucanr.edu/sites/Professional_Development/Office_-_Team_Management/Working_at_UC_ANR/?editon=1#OnlineOrientation and send us suggestions.
Let us (mozbell@ucanr.edu) know if you would like to be part of a group to brainstorm how people can get connected and to be successful and to get a strong start for their programs.
Recruit new colleagues
Know someone who would be a good fit for an ANR position? Let's all reach out to professionals we would be proud to work with and ask them to join us in achieving ANR's mission of improving the lives of all Californians. Spread the word: UC ANR is hiring. See UC ANR jobs.
Feedback and suggestions welcome.
For more on the SIs and their activities, contact
Jim Farrar: Pests (EIPD)
David Lewis: Natural Ecosystems (SNE)
Helen Dahlke: Water Quality, Quantity and Security (Water)
Deanne Meyer: Food Systems (SFS)
Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty: Families and Communities (HFC)
Mark Bell: Vice Provost (Strategic Initiatives and Statewide Programs)