AgriLife Extension names Nebgen to lead in South Region
Longtime agent will guide family and community health, 4-H youth development programs in 41 counties
Shea Nebgen brings 29 years of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experience into her new position as the regional program leader for family and community health and 4-H youth development in the South Region.
Effective March 1, Nebgen leaves her position in Gillespie County where she has spent the past 24 years, to provide leadership and guidance to agents in the 41 counties that comprise District 10, headquartered in Uvalde, and District 12, headquartered in Weslaco.
As regional program leader, she will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating family and community health programs along with 4-H youth development programs, said Courtney Dodd, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension associate director for health, families and youth programs.
“Shea will also coordinate professional development opportunities for agents to expand their knowledge, skill set and resources to serve Texans through impactful educational programs and help agents foster community partnerships,” Dodd said.
Building strong programming
Nebgen began her career in 1996 as an assistant agent in Matagorda County and later served in Blanco County before moving to Gillespie County as the family and community health agent in 2002.
Through the Texas Community Future Forum Issue Identification program, she and her area committees have strengthened existing programs and created new programs to better serve communities in Gillespie County.
She has contributed extensively to the family and community health programs through her outreach in food safety, childcare education, passenger safety, health and nutrition, career exploration and 4-H and youth programs.
Making a difference
“I am always looking for opportunities to help with programs, and I like to help other agents, so I am looking forward to this new role,” Nebgen said. “I enjoy the aspect of working with others in programming and teaching.”
She said AgriLife Extension offers many program opportunities and her goal is to ensure agents understand what is available to them and how the AgriLife Extension specialists can support their programming.
“I also want to encourage networking among the agents, which I believe will help them find new ways to do old things,” Nebgen said. “We are all implementing our programs a little differently, adding in little extra components, and sharing that will open up new participation in other counties.”
Education and awards
Nebgen earned her master’s degree in agriculture sciences from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her bachelor’s degree in home economics education from Sam Houston State University.
She has earned the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Excellence in Workforce Development Award, multiple Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and AgriLife Extension Superior Service awards, the AgriLife Extension Distinguished Agent Award-Level V, and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raiser’s Association Award-Outstanding County Extension Agent FCH.
