Continuing Education Innovator Leaving USU

Weldon Sleight, long-time innovator in Extension and continuing education at Utah State University, has accepted a new position as dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. The two-year land-grant university in southwestern Nebraska is part of the University of Nebraska system.

Sleight has been at Utah State since 1974. He has been associate vice president for University Extension and associate dean for continuing education since 1998 and is also a professor of agricultural systems technology and education. He has been an Extension agent, a teacher and administrator. He is largely responsible for pioneering the electronic delivery of classes around the state via satellite and the Internet.

 

“Students at off-campus sites owe a huge debt of gratitude to Weldon,” said Vince Lafferty, executive director of USU’s Logan center. “Through his leadership, he developed the delivery system and programs that allow students to complete their educational goals.”

 

“I am delighted to learn of Weldon’s new position at the University of Nebraska,” said Jack Payne, vice provost of Extension outreach at Iowa State University. “I attribute much of my success in my previous position as vice president of Extension and dean of continuing education at Utah State University to his dedication, creativity and knowledge.

 

“Weldon is an exceptional colleague and talented administrator who has a great depth of experience and knowledge in both the agricultural sciences and the culture of outreach and engagement,” Payne added. “With his appointment, I very much look forward to successful partnerships between the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University in furthering our land-grant university missions.”

 

Sleight has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from Utah State and a doctorate in the same field from Iowa State University. He begins his new assignment June 1.

 

Writer: Dennis Hinkamp, 435-797-1392, dennish@ext.usu.edu

Contact: Weldon Sleight, 435-797- 2214, weldons@ext.usu.edu