Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Wanda Powell, office manager for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Limestone County, has received a Superior Service Award, the agency’s highest honor.
The award was presented Jan. 8 during the agency’s Centennial Conference in College Station.
During her 14-year career with AgriLife Extension, Powell was cited for her continued dedication in promoting educational programs to constituents.
According to the award nomination, “No matter where one may find her, she is quick to tell them about upcoming programs, program successes or the 4-H program in order to recruit a new member.”
The nomination went on to state that “Powell is considered much more than an office manager as she plays a vital role in training new professional staff, serves as a community supporter for Extension programs, and brings a sense of pride and dedication to the office.”
Her accomplishments include:
– Serving as liaison with the community and commissioner’s court to interpret AgriLife Extension programs and successes in order to gain new clientele and funding sources.
– Collaborating with community partners and AgriLife Extension committees that address issues facing residents, and working with these groups to provide meeting notices, maintain minutes, and identify potential donors and key stakeholders to support events.
– Designing newsletters, commissioners reports, fliers, brochures and presentations for agriculture, family and consumer science, and 4-H programs.
– Providing support to the 4-H and Youth Development program, which involves more than 200 youth and 34 volunteers, as well as overseeing volunteer screening processes, assisting with brochure and flier development, 4-H enrollment process, 4-H connect process, program and cash management, plus reporting.
“(Wanda) is a person of impeccable character, dependable, loyal, punctual and creative,” wrote Colleen Longbotham, community leader and former AgriLife Extension Service agent for family and consumer science, in a letter supporting Powell’s nomination. “She is the first person the public sees when they come in the office or hears when they call, and she greets everyone with respect and professionalism.”
Superior Service awards are presented to personnel who demonstrate outstanding performance or provide exceptional service to AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of The Texas A&M University System.
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