USU extension official receives award

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State University Extension associate vice president Brian Higginbotham was recently awarded the 2013 Regional Award for Excellence in Extension for the western region. He received the award during the 2013 Food and Agriculture Excellence Awards at the Association of Public Land-grant Universities’ annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes one Cooperative Extension System educator from each of the five U.S. regions. Recipients embody Extension’s mission through their Extension programming, make a positive impact on constituents served and provide visionary leadership for the system.

Higginbotham received the award for statewide leadership in directing Extension programs, including the Stepfamily Education program, a 12-hour course offered in English and Spanish to educate stepfamilies on parenting and relationship quality.

“It is humbling and gratifying to have USU Extension recognized at national levels,” said Higginbotham. “We have great faculty, dedicated partners and amazing programs. As demonstrated by our relationship education programs, Extension changes lives and strengthens families.”

USU Extension vice president Ken White was in attendance at the awards ceremony and said he was pleased to have both Higginbotham and USU Extension receive such a prestigious honor.

“This award exemplifies the type of people and programs we have in our organization,” he said. “The outcome-based programs USU Extension provides have had positive, far-reaching impacts on the audiences who use them, making stronger families and communities in our state.”