Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [email protected]
Contact: Dr. Angela Burkham, 806-677-5600, [email protected]

BRYAN – Dr. Angela Burkham, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service regional program leader for family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development in the North Region, received the Superior Service Award in the leadership category from the agency.

Superior Service Awards recognize AgriLife Extension faculty and staff members who provide outstanding performance in AgriLife Extension education or other outstanding service to the organization and to Texans. The award was presented Jan. 12 during the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Conference awards dinner at the Brazos Expo Center in Bryan.

During her 24-year career with AgriLife Extension, Burkham worked as a family and consumer sciences county agent, a district-based 4-H specialist, a statewide volunteerism specialist and regional program director for 4-H before taking on her current role in 2011.

With this diverse background, Burkham has developed an innovative approach to dealing with county agents that helps connect available state resources where they are needed to make a difference in the lives of families and communities in the region, according to the nomination.

As regional program leader, she participates in the recruiting and interviewing of potential applicants for county-based 4-H and family and consumer sciences-related positions in the 42 counties of the North Region.

Burkham’s leadership skills have helped create a strong team in the region that is helping bring education to the area, the nomination stated, and her teamwork skills are unparalleled.

Her expertise is sought out as she serves on many statewide committees, including the Texas A&M AgriLife State Conference Committee, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Onboarding Committee, Workforce Development Initiative, Step Up and Scale Down Online Implementation, Cooking with Friends, Do Well Be Well Curriculum Revision, North Region Consortium and North Region Program Excellence Academy.

Her efforts in training new agents have resulted in a shared document with other members of the North Region Team detailing an agent’s strengths, weaknesses and areas that need to be emphasized during follow-up. This document has improved the team’s efforts in supporting new agents and “filling in the gaps” that might otherwise be missed.

Dr. Bob Robinson, Randall County commissioner in Canyon, said in his letter of recommendation, “Dr. Burkham has been instrumental in building partnerships with other organizations, universities and groups that enhance Extension’s resources and outreach. Her proven performance in organizing, training and empowering groups to enhance Extension programs is superior.”

Dr. Chris Boleman, AgriLife Extension assistant director and Texas 4-H program leader in College Station, summed up his letter of support by writing, “She is not afraid of change and embraces every opportunity to improve. In my opinion, that is the definition of a great leader.”

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