BRYAN — Cory Hundl, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 4-H youth development agent for Travis County, has received a Superior Service Award for a county agent from the agency.
Superior Service Awards recognize AgriLife Extension faculty and staff members who provide outstanding performance in Extension education or other outstanding service to the organization and to Texans. The award was presented Jan. 12 during the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Conference awards dinner at the Brazos Expo Center in Bryan.
Hundl was nominated for the award based on her leadership in youth education, use of technology and agency collaboration.
During her 12-year Extension career, Hundl has been responsible for the overall management of the 4-H programs in areas she has served. She has planned, coordinated and organized multiple county and district events, plus has developed partnerships with numerous community youth agencies. She also has served in various capacities on district, regional, state and national committees.
Some of Hundl’s major accomplishments noted in her award nomination include: the Youth Leadership Program, which focused on making youth comfortable with public speaking; Professional YoU!,which introduced youth to professionalism and etiquette; Leaders 4 Life, which focused on parliamentary procedure, service learning and leadership skills; and Take a Stand, which addressed conflict management, communication, teamwork and cultural awareness.
“One of Cory’s key qualities and character attributes are that she is very passionate about what she does and what the kids are involved in,” wrote Tina Warwick, co-manager of Hill Country Austin 4-H, in her letter of support for Hundl’s nomination. “She really does make sacrifices in order to grow our youth. What she’s planting in each 4-H’er has the capacity to carry them to new heights and places they never dreamed of.”
The nomination also cited Hundl’s partnering with the Travis County Farm Bureau to host Science of Agriculture events to educate third- and fourth-grade students on the importance of agriculture, as well as her involvement in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, programming for youth.
Hundl’s own use of technology in the form of social media and blogging was touted in her nomination as an effective way to promote 4-H programming and inform stakeholders. She was also cited for her management of the 12,000-member-plus Travis County 4-H program and its adult leaders and other volunteers.
Over her career, Hundl has collaborated with numerous agencies, organizations and educational institutions, as well as various charitable and human service organizations. Some of her major partnership or collaboration efforts over the past several years include those with the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Travis County Farm Bureau, Toastmasters International, Texas Capitol Visitors Center and Preservation Board, Travis County Youth Show, several local independent school districts and the Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Program.
Hundl also has served on multiple committees, including those relating to the food challenge, consumer decision making contest, program development, technology, shooting sports, and livestock management. She also served as a district 4-H Council advisor and member of the district’s Leadership Lab and 4-H Honors Banquet Committee, as well as Texas 4-H Volunteer Screening Task Force, Texas A&M AgriLife Volunteer Management Task Force, Texas 4-H Foundation Board and Texas Association of Extension 4-H Agents state board.
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