Shift paves way for UCCE advisors to focus on vital research, extension work
To allow its scientists to focus on research and extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has been transitioning to regional administrative leadership of its UC Cooperative Extension offices across the state.
The UC ANR Area Director model is a regional leadership structure designed to strengthen collaboration, optimize resources and improve administrative efficiency across multiple county UC Cooperative Extension offices.
Historically the UCCE offices in each county were led by UCCE advisors who split their time between administrative duties and their research and extension work. This new model typically features a 100% administrative appointment of an area director, who oversees organizational efficiency, physical infrastructure, personnel, budget management, partnership development and strategic growth for multiple counties.
“We have world-class scientists,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “By shifting administrative responsibilities to dedicated regional leaders, we are empowering our UCCE advisors to fully dedicate their time and expertise to their core missions of research and extension.”
“While some of the county directors didn’t mind holding the dual roles of scientist and administrator and were very good at both jobs, we determined that being pulled in two different directions was not the best way to serve their communities,” Humiston said.
By handing off administrative tasks, she hopes the academics will become more engaged in leadership and public service roles such as boards, commissions, initiatives related to their research, and science-to-policy activities.
Currently UCCE area directors include:
- Area 4: Matthew Barnes – Mendocino and Lake counties
- Area 5: Teghpreet Ahluwalia – Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter and Yuba counties
- Area 6: Michele Fisch – Placer, Nevada, Plumas and Sierra counties
- Area 7: Lauren Cartwright – Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties
- Area 8: Karen Warburton – Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties
- Area 9: Ariel Rivers – Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and Tuolumne counties
- Area 10: Andrew Miller (Interim) – Alameda and Contra Costa counties
- Area 12: Andrew Miller – Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties
- Area 13: Emily Jane Freed – Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties
- Area 14: Karmjot Randhawa – Fresno, Madera, Merced and Mariposa counties
- Area 16: Shannon Klisch – Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
- Area 17: Leonel Jimenez – Kern, Tulare and Kings counties
- Area 19: Rita Clemons – Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties
- Area 20: Chandra Richards – San Diego and Imperial counties
During this final phase of the transition, the remaining counties will continue to be served by their current county directors until the right candidates are selected for the new area director roles.
“We aim to have this transition fully completed and the new leadership model implemented across all counties by the end of 2027,” Humiston said.