By Bridget Lee-Calfas
Matthew Vann has been named the new associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, the flagship public engagement organization housed in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the state’s land-grant university.
Vann currently serves as interim associate director and state program leader for Agriculture & Natural Resources and Community & Rural Development at North Carolina State University. He oversees strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, and program coordination for statewide Extension efforts across all 101 county centers. In addition, he has served as Extension Leader for the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences since mid-2022, initially as co-lead and transitioning to sole lead in early 2023, where he has provided strategic leadership and coordination across departmental Extension efforts. Since joining NC State in 2015, he has also served as an associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, where he has addressed critical issues in nutrient management, herbicide tolerance, and environmental stewardship. A throughline of his work has focused on strengthening Extension’s responsiveness to agricultural challenges and aligning applied research with producer and community needs.
“Dr. Vann emerged from a nationwide search as a leader with a clear vision and deep commitment to the mission of Cooperative Extension,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. “He brings the experience, resolve, and collaborative spirit we need in this moment. His understanding of the critical role Extension plays in communities will be essential as we navigate a period of significant transition and work together to reaffirm and renew our impact.”
This leadership transition arrives at an unprecedented time for Illinois Extension. Following the passage of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on July 4, 2025, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) program was eliminated nationwide. In Illinois, SNAP-Ed was delivered by Extension as Eat.Move.Save. to more than 240 communities, delivering over 1 million educational contacts with Illinois residents annually. The loss of this federal funding resulted in significant staff reductions and the cessation of all Eat.Move.Save. nutrition education programs, resources, and partnerships. This challenging circumstance underscores the need for strong, visionary leadership to guide Extension through transition and help shape the future of its vital work in Illinois communities.
Source : illinois.edu