Board of Directors

  • Angela Abbott, Purdue University / Assistant Dean College of Health and Human Sciences, HHS Extension
  • Francis (Frank) Arpan, Haskell Indian Nations University / President
  • Elizabeth Dobis, USDA Economic Research Service / Research Agricultural Economist
  • Mary Emery, University of Nebraska – Lincoln / Rural Prosperity Nebraska Director & Professor Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication
  • Lynette Flage, North Dakota State University / Associate Director, NDSU Extension
  • Sarah Rocker, USDA NIFA / National Program Leader
  • Ron Turco, Purdue University / Associate Dean & Director of Agriculture Research Graduate Education

Advisory Committee

  • Rial Carver, Kansas State University / Rural Grocery Store Initiative Program Leader, K-State Research and Extension
  • Himar Hernandez, Iowa State University / Community and Economic Development Extension, Assistant Program Director, Community Development Specialist
  • Zach Kennedy, University of Illinois / Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
  • Thomas Krumel, North Dakota State University / Assistant Professor, Agribusiness and Applied Economics
  • Xinyi Qian, University of Minnesota / Tourism Center Director & Extension State Specialist Tourism Center
  • Corinne Valdivia, University of Missouri / Doane Professor, Agricultural & Applied Economics; Development, Resources & Sustainability

Program Leaders

  • 4-H: Tim Tanner, South Dakota State University / Director of 4-H Programs
  • Community Development: Dave Ivan, Michigan State University / Director of Community, Food, and Environment Institute
  • FCS Program Leader Liaison: Pat Bebo, The Ohio State University / Assistant Dean O&E Assistant Director FCS

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The NCRCRD advisory committee represents various backgrounds and expertise to provide input to the NCRCRD Board of Directors and staff and to ensure that NCRCRD meets the needs of the North Central Region. The NCRCRD advisory committee advises the NCRCRD staff in the development of priority goals and strategies for the Center. The committee provides a critical link with NCRCRD stakeholders that include rural communities, land grant university faculty and staff, and policy makers. The advisory committee reviews the proposed direction, initiatives, and activities of the Center and provides feedback to NCRCRD staff. The NCRCRD Board provides final approval of Center goals and strategies presented by the directors and recommended by the advisory committee. Advisory committee members serve a three-year term and responsibilities include:

  • Attending bi-annual meetings (in-person meeting expenses will be paid by the Center)
  • Providing advice and expertise that enhances the proposed NCR panel dataset
  • Suggesting potential focus areas for multistate working groups
  • Reviewing multistate working group proposals for recommendation to the Board
  • Reviewing small grant proposals for recommendation to the Board