Helene R. Dillard, Cornell professor of plant pathology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, has been appointed to a second five-year term as director of Cornell Cooperative Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology, effective Oct. 1.

"Helene has helped establish a clear vision for CCE that resonates soundly with CCE educators as well as with stakeholders around the state," said Susan A. Henry, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "Under her leadership, CCE was able to persuade state legislators to increase funding allocated to CCE through County Law 224 -- a major accomplishment. Helene's many supporters, both within and outside of the CCE system, testify to her enthusiasm, honesty, practicality and energy."

The many letters submitted in support of Dillard's reappointment cited her commitment to diversity and to raising CCE's visibility on campus. During her first term, Dillard also organized a CCE leadership retreat that resulted in the formation of the statewide Executive Director Senate. A newsletter she established, "CCE News," has strengthened communication throughout the extension network.

Dillard maintains research and extension programs focused on the biology, ecology and management of fungal diseases of vegetables and dissemination of the information to the vegetable industry. Her interests include pathogen identification and disease diagnosis as well as disease management strategies for vegetable crops in fields and greenhouses.

Dillard joined the Cornell faculty in 1984 and was promoted to full professor in 1998. She chaired Geneva's Department of Plant Pathology from 1997 to 2001 and served a year as associate director of CCE before her initial appointment as director in October 2002.