New Southwest Regional Director Named for Utah State University Extension

Kristine Saunders has accepted the position of Southwest Regional Director for Cooperative Extension effective January 2005.

 

Saunders has a long history with Utah State University Extension. She was an on-campus nutrition specialist working with Georgia Lauritzen; she was the family consumer science agent for Cache County and from 1997 to present she coordinated the state-wide $600,000 Food Stamp and Nutrition Education Program.

 

“Her familiarity with the state and its issues make her the perfect fit for this leadership position,” said Jack Payne, vice president for Utah State Extension. “Kris also has excellent communication skills that will help work with local media.”

 

In addition to her face-to-face teaching experience, Saunders was the host of more than 150 Healthy Kitchen television shows broadcast in Cache Valley.

 

“I look at this new role as one of serving and protecting,” said Saunders. “I need to protect our local Extension faculty and staff by assuring them continued funding and support. I need to serve them by guiding them through the tenure and promotion process. They need to know that someone actually reads their monthly reports and is there to guide them through the tenure process. Careful monthly record keeping will prevent tenure from becoming a last minute crisis.”

 

Moving from Cache Valley may be the hardest part, but Saunders said she is looking forward to the change. Her husband, Walt Saunders, has been retired from the College of Education for four years and will make the move with her to the Richfield area. She says he is looking forward to the adventure and has already been seeking out racket ball courts in the area.