Dr. Greg Davis and Dr. Graham Cochran are filling new interim roles with the retirement of Keith Smith as director of OSU Extension and Gary Straquadine's transition to Utah State.
Davis will serve as the interim director, OSU Extension, beginning July 1. With the search under way, a committee hopes to bring a finalist to campus in early fall.
Davis's successful tenure in OSU Extension, knowledge of current issues and active engagement in pursuing future opportunities allows him to assume this role and to continue supporting and leading the great work done across our state by Extension faculty, staff and volunteers. Davis currently serves as professor and assistant director, Community Development, where he has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field. In 2013, he was awarded the National Distinguished Service award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. He has presented papers and spoken at professional conferences on the state, national and international levels and is a respected facilitator. He has been an active member of the Vice President’s Conversation on the Future of Extension leadership team and will continue his role on the search committee for the next director of OSU Extension.
Meanwhile, as the college prepares a national search to identify the next chair of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, Cochran will serve as interim department chair of ACEL, effective July 1 and pending approval of the Board of Trustees.
Cochran has served as an associate professor since 2011 with appointments in ACEL and the Department of Extension. Graham began his career at Ohio State in 1996 as a county director and Extension educator in Sandusky County. Since that initial appointment, he has accepted increasing responsibilities, including center director at Adventure Central in Dayton and in the OSU Extension Human Resources unit. His scholarship has focused on organizational and workforce development, including a leadership role with the development of an online master’s degree program. Cochran’s work in organizational and workforce development provided the type of experience necessary for him to successfully co-lead the Vice President’s Conversation on the Future of Extension.