Hyde named sole finalist for director of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-945-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Friday named Dr. Jeff Hyde sole finalist as director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Hyde is currently serving as acting associate dean and director of Penn State Extension, providing oversight of extension programs, operations and external relations. He also serves as a professor of agricultural economics.

Under state law, university governing boards must name finalists at least 21 days before making an appointment. The Board of Regents will meet again at a future date to make the final appointment. Hyde is expected to start Sept. 1.

“Dr. Hyde’s expertise in combining face-to-face engagement with newer technologies to expand reach and access to science education, as well as his leadership and vision for the future of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, will be instrumental as we build on the agency’s legacy of serving all Texans,” said Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M AgriLife and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “I am delighted Dr. Hyde has agreed to serve in this important role, and I am honored to welcome him to Texas A&M.”

Hyde has an extensive background in extension education at Penn State, serving as associate director for programs and assistant director of special program initiatives supporting digital delivery of educational and information content.

His extension programs have focused on helping farm businesses with core emphasis on business planning, marketing and human resource management. Hyde also led training of county-based extension educators and business managers utilizing e-learning methods.

He has also served as associate department head for agricultural economics, sociology and education at Penn State as well as serving in leadership roles for administrative and leadership professional development programs.

Hyde said he is enthusiastic about helping lead programming to benefit more than 29 million Texans.

“Throughout the interview process, I learned more about the agency’s breadth of programs and audiences, covering rural and urban areas,” he said. “As I spoke with people throughout the interview process, I became increasingly comfortable with my fit within the agency and the structure of the Texas A&M System.

“I have been impressed with the individuals in leadership within the Vice Chancellor for Agriculture’s office, including Dr. Stover, whose vision for integrating research and extension to benefit all Texans is incredibly compelling. I appreciate the passion and vision that exists in at AgriLife. I’m looking forward to establishing a strategic plan and vision for AgriLife Extension that supports its traditional audiences and allows us to spread our impacts to all Texans.”

Hyde earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Frostburg State University. He also earned an associate of arts degree in business administration from Allegany Community College.