The University of Missouri Extension and Engagement Advisory Committee serves as a catalyst for strengthening MU Extension and Engagement by providing the vice chancellor for extension and engagement with input on issues and program opportunities to improve the lives of Missourians, particularly around grand challenges related to:
- economic opportunity
- educational excellence and access
- health and well-being
The committee’s focus and purpose include:
- Advisory — provide input to the vice chancellor and other senior leaders to strengthen MU Extension and Engagement and the university.
- Feedback — share statewide insights related to issues and challenges that Missourians face.
- Advocacy — strengthen support and partnerships for greater impact throughout Missouri.
- Awareness — serve as spokespersons communicating the value of MU Extension and Engagement, the university and higher education’s impact.
- Catalyst — help energize and expand MU Extension and Engagement’s impact and connections.
Committee membership consists of 16 thought-leaders from throughout Missouri representing county extension councils and community partners committed to our mission as the University FOR Missouri.
Eight members represent each of the eight extension regions. Eight members represent stakeholders and partners from across the state. Staggered appointments provide continuity and ensure representative membership from around Missouri. Initial appointments will be for 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year terms.
Meet the Committee
Extension Council Representatives
Stakeholder and Partner Representatives
- M. Ryan Barker
- Brian Crouse
- Stephanie Gooden
- Andrea (Andy) Jackson
- Tim Lowery
- Tim Oetting
- Jauqua Preston Wilkins
Fay Aubuchon
I chair the MU Extension Council in St. Charles County. I take pride in helping to bring MU research and knowledge to our residents and raising awareness about our programs. I have a master’s degree in human resource management from Lindenwood University and a bachelor’s in business management from Maryville University. I have more than 35 years of experience in the education and private sectors, recently retiring as associate dean for workforce programs and services at St. Charles Community College. My husband, Norvel, and I live in St. Peters, and have two beautiful daughters, Mary and Rachel, and four grandchildren. When I am not working, I am cooking, gardening, sewing and planning the next adventure with the grandkids.
Region: Urban East
Term expires: 12/31/2024
Valencia Broadus
I am a member of the MU Extension Council in Jackson County, and a KC Teen Preneurs 4-H club leader. As chair of the Missouri State Association of Parliamentarians' Youth and Young Persons Parliamentary Law Month Committee, I engage young people in civic responsibility. I have a bachelor’s degree in business from Columbia College and a law degree from MU. I am also a certified community health worker and peer specialist helping youth and returning citizens navigate systems and barriers. My law firm focuses on small business, real property, estate planning and probate law. I am an adjunct in the Metropolitan Community Colleges Workforce Development Department and an Implicit Bias trainer/facilitator. I love being a grandmother, traveling and spending time with my family.
Region: Urban West
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Thomas Haines
I am a member of the MU Extension Council in Dent County and reside in Salem. I have a B.S. in natural resources management from Colorado State University that led to a career of 35 years with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. My career took me to Colorado, South Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Alabama and Missouri. In 2019, I retired as the district ranger of the Salem Ranger District. I have been married to my wife, a retired teacher, for 40 years, and we have four children and five grandchildren. I enjoy traveling, cooking, gardening and learning new things.
Region: East Central
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Michelle Kleeman
I am a member of the MU Extension Council in Dade County and a long-time advocate for extension and its importance and impact in communities across Missouri. I am a devoted 4-H leader of the Busy Bee 4-H club and owner of Kleeman Family Farm, a cow/calf operation in Lockwood, Missouri, where we are committed as a family to providing healthy, safe and happy animals. I have a bachelor's degree in communication and public relations and enjoy writing and contributing to publications that offer insight into rural and farm life, such as Pink Tractor, an online magazine that promotes women in agriculture.
Region: Southwest
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Sandra Streit
My involvement with MU Extension started as a 4-H club, and eventually 4-H Council, leader. Currently, I serve as chair of the MU Extension Council in Johnson County. I have a B.S. from the University of Central Missouri and a M.S from Kansas State University, both in agricultural economics. I grew up in rural Johnson County and worked for IBP INC. and Premium Standard Farms before joining Tri-Meats, Inc. as a salesperson nearly 20 years ago. I serve on the board of directors for the Holden Senior Center and West Central Electric Cooperative in Higginsville, Missouri.
Region: West Central
Term expires: 12/31/2024
Chris Wallace
I currently chair the MU Extension Council in Nodaway County and represent us on the Northwest Regional Council. I was also a member of the former state council. A Maryville resident, I have served on program advisory teams and council committees including budget; bylaws, policy and working rules; council elections; and public relations. Our region’s 2019 Truman Tiger Award recipient, I am also on the Extension Leaders Honor Roll for Nodaway County. Before retiring, I served in various technology development, technology evaluation, technology transfer and business startup roles for public and private entities. I have a doctorate and master’s in nuclear engineering from MU.
Region: Northwest
Term expires: 12/31/2023
M. Ryan Barker
I oversee advocacy, civic engagement, Medicaid expansion and Opportunity Fund initiatives at the Missouri Health Foundation (MFH), where I have worked for 18 years — often partnering with MU Extension as a community resource. I grew up in St. Louis, leaving for about a decade for an undergraduate degree at Xavier University, a M.S.W. from the University of Cincinnati and work with homeless teens in Cincinnati and Portland, Oregon. I returned to pursue a M.P.P.A in health policy from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. My husband and I married in 2009 and have a son who is 21. I enjoy reading, gardening and restoring my house built in 1904.
County: STL County
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Brian Crouse
As vice president of education for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am responsible for talent development programs and initiatives that bridge the business and education communities. Currently, I am launching the Missouri Chamber Manufacturing Alliance to support manufacturing members. Previously, I did research and program evaluation related to small businesses with MU Extension. I have also worked for 10 years in higher education enrollment management and research and policy development at the Missouri Department of Higher Education and at Westminster College in Fulton. I have a bachelor’s degree in history from Lincoln University and a master’s in public administration from the Truman School of Public Affairs at MU.
County: Cole
Term expires: 12/31/2024
Stephanie Gooden
Before being appointed by Gov. Mike Parson and then elected Saline County Northern Commissioner, I served as a youth program associate for MU Extension. If you ever want to see communities come together, go to a 4-H/FFA youth fair. Then you will see how important youth are in our agricultural industry. Now more than ever, we need reliable, high speed internet in our rural areas. I am a strong proponent of rural broadband and have initiated its implementation in rural Saline County. It is an honor to be part of a community where I can create change and make progress for our next generations. I have a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems. My husband, Shane, and I have been married for over 21 years and have three children. My church and my family are my hobbies; we spend all of our free moments together.
County: Saline
Term expires: 12/31/2024
Andrea (Andy) Jackson
I am a lifelong advocate for agriculture and rural communities. During a 20-year career with A. T. Still University, I recruited students for rural health care doctoral programs. I have served on county and state Farm Bureau committees and Extension Councils, on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Agriculture and as a Missouri Livestock Symposium officer. I am an alumna of Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow and 4-H. My husband, Bob, and I combined our traditional family farm operation in Adair County with agritourism, providing fall activities and agriculture education for visitors. I have an associate degree from Mineral Area College and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. We have three sons and seven grandchildren.
County: Adair
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Tim Lowery
I chair the MU Extension Council in Platte County. We are currently highlighting farm tours to bridge the gap between urban/suburban and rural neighbors. My family has been farming since 1931, relying on many university extension services during that time. I feel strongly that extension has a valuable place meeting today’s evolving needs. My two sons and I spend much of our time on our farm, where we raise fruits and vegetables. I also work for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Platte County and have served as a Senior Agriculture Advisor with the U.S. Department of State in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our family likes to explore local trails and forests, as well as travel.
County: Platte
Term expires: 12/31/2023
Tim Oetting
Throughout a nearly 30-year career in finance and banking, I have served in various roles with Bank of America and U.S. Bank, where I am currently Commercial Team Lead for the Southern Missouri Region in Springfield, Missouri. A business administration major at Drury University, I have an M.B.A. from the University of Missouri with an emphasis in finance. My wife, Tara, is a clinical professor at Missouri State University in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Department. Our oldest son, Tanner, is a sophomore in college, while our youngest son, Trae, is a sophomore in high school.
County: Greene
Term expires: 12/31/2024
Jauqua Preston Wilkins
A multifaceted professional, I have over a decade of experience in corporate responsibility and reputation, community relations, communications, public relations and advocacy. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Programs and Operations at the Urban League of Greater Kansas City and I am in the KC Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Program. My greatest passion is serving those with the greatest need, and I am devoted to closing disparities and gaps in my community. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, as well as a Master of Education with specialization in instructional design and technology. My husband, Brad, and I live in Kansas City, Missouri with our children Bradley and Ryan. I enjoy cooking, traveling and volunteering in the community.
County: Jackson
Term expires: 12/31/2023