Supron

Kate Supron has begun a new joint position at Engaged Cornell and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) designed to increase opportunities for community-engaged research, learning and service projects. The liaison position was created to strengthen collaboration among Cornell students, faculty and staff and the 57 CCE association offices across the state.

Supron will support development of new university links with association offices and facilitate opportunities for other extension units on campus to strengthen and diversify engagement in New York communities.

“Engaged Cornell supports students as they become global citizens who will lead positive social change, and Cornell Cooperative Extension is a unique and valuable partner in this approach,” said Vice Provost Judy Appleton. “Working with Cooperative Extension and other public engagement groups across the university, Kate will be critical for removing barriers and expanding opportunities for students to become more involved in co-curricular initiatives.”

Supron said her skills in collaboration and facilitation – honed during her time as mayor of Cayuga Heights, New York, from 2010 until she resigned in May – will help her create new partnerships.

“It’s important to ensure that we foster mutually beneficial relationships,” she said. “We want students to have positive learning experiences and faculty to contribute to meaningful research that creates tangible benefits for community partners.”

CCE has a strong history of collaboration with faculty and students in Cornell's statutory colleges, Appleton said. The new Engaged Cornell-CCE relationship will expand the number of students involved with the association network.

Chris Watkins, director of CCE, noted a number of Cornell students work at CCE offices across the state through its summer internship program, in partnership with the College of Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A second liaison position has been established for Cornell’s Cooperative Extension office in New York City.

Sherrie Negrea is a freelance writer.