The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (September 29, 2014) – Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC) has announced the appointment of Colleen Monaghan of Walker Valley, NY as Executive Director effective October 6, 2014.

Most recently, Monaghan has been program, planning, and contract management coordinator for the Orange County Youth Bureau. In addition, she has served as a key administrator and program coordinator for a large county-wide initiative funded by the NYS Department of Health. She brings expertise in youth development, family and consumer science, and a personal interest in agriculture and homesteading. She has worked professionally with Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County and is familiar with CCESC.

As a partner with Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology Bronfenbrenner Center for Transitional Research ACT for Youth Center of Excellence, she has participated in several research projects giving her first-hand knowledge of the research and support available to Sullivan County through Cornell. She has provided training in leadership, management and supervision, collaboration and planning, evaluation, and youth and family development across the state and region.

Monaghan lives on the border of Sullivan and Ulster Counties where she raises chickens and pigs and produces fruits and vegetables. She often spends time at a family farm and camp in Livingston Manor.

“The most exciting thing for me is becoming a part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County community. From the tour of the beautiful farms across the county, 4-Her smiles, to my first interactions with the staff and volunteers; it is encouraging to be partnering with a community of learners committed to preserving and enriching the quality of life here. I look forward to getting to know everyone and leading and nurturing Cooperative Extension into its future,” said Monaghan.

Monaghan has extensive experience in writing grants and managing service contracts for nonprofit agencies.  She formerly directed programs for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. She holds a bachelor of arts in applied anthropology from SUNY Oneonta and a master’s in public administration from Marist College.

The CCESC Board of Directors appointed Monaghan after conducting a nationwide search for a new executive director following the resignation of its then executive Gregory Sandor. During the process, the organization was headed by Interim Director Pat Claiborne.

“We have found just the right person to fill the gap left by Greg and Pat,” said board president Joan Howard, “Colleen has experience in and is committed to all the areas central to our mission and has the leadership traits to continue our work.  She has already begun to meet with both long-time commercial farmers and new niche market producers. We’re confident she will lead us forward into our next 100 years.”

For more information about programs at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, contact Nicole Slevin, Director of Communications, at 845-292-6180, ext 114 or nas96@cornell.edu.