Writer: Rod Santa Ana, 956-968-5581, r-santaana@tamu.edu
Contact: Amanda Scott, 979-847-9227, ARScott@ag.tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION — Amanda Scott, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service program specialist for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program since 2004, has been honored with one of the agency’s highest recognitions.
The Superior Service Award is presented to staff who demonstrate outstanding performance or who provide exceptional service to AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of The Texas A&M University System.
The award nomination cited Scott’s exemplary leadership in program planning, development, implementation, evaluation and reporting for the expanded food and nutrition education program, which serves limited-resource families and youth in 11 Texas counties.
The nomination noted that Scott ensures the program follows federal program guidelines and develops and manages state and local program budgets totaling $4.3 million annually.
Under Scott’s leadership, program youth outreach has increased to include 80,000 children, an increase of 142 percent in five years.
Scott was also cited for her development of several related programs, including Walk Across Texas, Better Living for Texans and Healthy Food, Healthy Families.
Among her accomplishments, Scott was cited for her successful collaboration with several key partners, including Baylor College of Medicine, a similar program in North Carolina, the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University, and the Women, Infants and Children Program.
“Her strong work ethic and a realistic approach to nutrition education make her a recognized leader among her peers,” her nomination reads. “The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is fortunate to have a talented, innovative and hard-working individual who represents the agency extremely well.”
Among her nomination letters, Courtney Dodd, an AgriLife Extension 4-H program specialist, wrote, “Amanda is a leader, a communicator and a team player. She always follows through on her responsibilities, doing her part to contribute to the team and staying on task. She values the input of her team, fostering communication and making sure opinions are heard and shared.”
Elaine Freeney, a project coordinator of the program at Prairie View, wrote, “Amanda is a very dedicated and efficient program coordinator and does not hesitate to share her vast knowledge with others.”
Deborah Watt, a nutrition specialist at The University of Georgia, wrote, “Amanda is an intelligent, inspiring woman who cares deeply about the health of her fellow Texans, especially those less fortunate. She is a leader among peer coordinators in the nation and is an asset to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.”
