Welcome to the Statewide Extension Advisory Council (SEAC) of the University of Maryland Extension (UME)

The purpose of the SEAC is to act as an integral stakeholder and provide feedback and advisory services to the Associate Dean/Associate Director and the University of Maryland Extension Council (UMEC) on statewide needs, thus serving as the foundational basis for determining priority Extension programming investments. Specifically, the SEAC will:

  • Assist with categorizing and considering Maryland communities’ critical needs to align with the programmatic objectives of UME fundamentally.
  • Establish, where appropriate, advocacy and mutually developed communication strategies promoting the impact and value of Extension.
  • Identify existing key stakeholders and enhance the development of renewed and broadening partnerships and resources.
  • Serve as a sounding board to ensure programs remain relevant and resources are available for quality programs with local government and other community leaders.

2024 Members

NAME PROGRAM TITLE ORGANIZATION
Noah Morris 4-H Youth 4-H
Ashlynn Kidwell 4-H AGNR Student 4-H
Nia Fields 4-H Deputy Director National Youth Employment Coalition
       
Mary Lou Brown AgFS Owner Maple Breeze Farm
Alan Jones AgFS Owner Manor View Farm Baltimore
Shelby Watson-Hampton AgFS Director Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
       
Sara Seitz FCS Director Office of Rural Health, MD. Dept of Health
Elizabeth Chung FCS Executive Director Asian-American Center of Frederick Family Support Services
Stephen Thomas FCS Director & Professor UMD Center for Health Equity
       
Rick Abend ENR Owner Abend Hafen Farm
Aitya Wells ENR Executive Director Backyard Basecamp, Inc.
Kelsey Brooks ENR Program Manager UMD Environmental Finance Center
       
Nelson Escobar At-Large Extension Administrator University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Bob Frazee At-Large President & CEO J.R. Frazee Strategic Consulting, LLC
Gloria Aparicio Blackwell At-Large Director UMD Office of Community Engagement