Extension hires Winder from Oregon State

John Winder will begin duties as associate dean and associate director of WSU Extension on April 1.  He will oversee many aspects of operations, management and personnel.

He was assistant director of Extension at Oregon State University before coming to WSU.

“John brings vision for our strategic plan as we move to university- wide extension and engagement across the university,” said Linda Fox, dean and director of WSU Extension.

At OSU Winder devoted time to broadening the engagement of Oregon State University with communities across the state. In addition, he has supported the national Extension agenda by serving on the eXtension review panel charged with evaluating proposals for “community of practice” grants.

“I am truly honored to have this opportunity to become a part of one of the finest Extension organizations in the United States,” Winder said.  “I have long viewed WSU Extension not only as a leader in delivery of Extension programming by traditional methodologies, but also as an innovator creating new methods for delivering educational opportunities to the residents of Washington and beyond.

“There is a keen awareness on the part of the university leadership, the faculty and staff of the importance of the land-grant university to the people of this state.  This creates some very interesting and compelling opportunities for Extension to help connect the entire university to issues, challenges and opportunities across the state.”

He serves on the Western Regional Coordination and Implementation Committee (RCIC), the committee which approves and advises multi-state and integrated Research and Extension projects.

During his career he also has worked for the University of Vermont Extension, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, New Mexico State University, and Oklahoma State University. He has a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University.

He grew up in southwestern New Mexico, where most of his family still resides.