MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University continues to connect students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to extend and enhance the land-grant mission, including service and outreach. WVU Dean of Extension and Engagement Jorge Atiles is helping to make those connections on a national level.
Dr. Atiles was recently appointed to co-lead the National Forum of Chief Engagement and Outreach Administrators (National Forum). The National Forum is a collaboration of individuals who serve as the chief administrators with a primary responsibility for advancing a university’s community engagement, outreach, and public service agenda. Atiles will serve in a shared leadership role with Dr. Jennifer Frum, vice president of public service and outreach at the University of Georgia, and a WVU alumna of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
The National Forum brings together professionals who share similar roles to examine the issues, priorities, challenges and best practices that define their work. The group, which began in 2017, includes representatives from more than 30 public universities across the nation who share information, provide counsel and ideas related to the engagement and outreach mission of universities. The National Forum is open to those individuals who serve as a university’s chief administrator and whose primary responsibilities focus on outreach, engagement, Extension and public service.
“West Virginia University has a longstanding commitment to Extension, service and engagement throughout the state and world,” Atiles said. “Dr. Frum and I both value and understand the important role our universities play in bringing the land-grant mission to our communities. There are many challenges and many opportunities to the work we do. I look forward to serving in this leadership role with her to bring innovative tools and resources that will improve the lives and livelihoods of the people we serve.”
In their leadership roles, Atiles and Frum will be responsible for coordinating and planning events, speakers and other activities that allow members to engage in meaningful discussion and networking opportunities. This year’s first forum will feature WVU President Gordon Gee as a guest speaker.
“Today’s complex challenges underscore the need for robust outreach, extension and engagement programming from institutions of higher education,” Frum said. “These programs have never been more important. Sharing best practices across the country has helped senior engagement officers position their institutions to effectively reach the communities they serve during very difficult times.”
Learn more about WVU Extension programs or contact your local WVU Extension office. Keep up with the latest in WVU Extension news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @WVUExtension.
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CONTACT: Tara Curtis
WVU Extension Service
304-293-7996; tara.curtis@mail.wvu.edu
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