In May 2024, all UC Cooperative Extension employees were given the opportunity to assess the administrative performance of county directors (CDs, directors with academic appointments) and area directors (ADs, directors with 100% administrative appointments). The 45-question survey netted a 50.59% response rate (N=343) from county academics, program staff and administrative professionals.

The intent of the survey was to identify AD and CD administrative goals for FY 24-25; inform new directors on local administrative needs and opportunities; assess administrative performance; and identify and implement professional development, mentoring and resource development for the directors.

The survey asked county UCCE employees to assess, on a 5-point scale, area and county director skills in the areas of: administration of the UCCE unit, leadership to the UCCE unit team members, fiscal development and management, and partnership and relationship building.

In addition to the quantitative data, 275 separate qualitative comments were provided by respondents in the four areas listed above.

All area and county directors met with Director for County Cooperative Extension Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty in August/September 2024 to review survey data specific to their unit. Each director outlined specific steps they would take to address the quantitative and qualitative opportunities identified in the survey.

Schmitt-McQuitty noted that survey feedback from Cooperative Extension personnel across the state helped identify director-specific administrative goals and professional development opportunities – while also confirming that the directors consistently demonstrated integrity, accountability and efficient stewardship of university and county resources.

She also said the survey responses pointed to the need for more training on how directors can use merit, promotion, and evaluation processes to mentor, educate and provide feedback to support employee success.

“It is my hope that the Cooperative Extension community continues to provide feedback on the administrative performance of area and county directors, and this model of assessing performance continues biennially,” said  Schmitt-McQuitty.

For survey results and other key takeaways and conclusions, download the report below.