Get To Know Our Leadership Team

Michigan State University Extension Administration

Behind every one of our countless programs, educators, and partnerships is a core administrative team that guides MSU Extension’s strategy, operations, and statewide coordination. This dedicated group provides expert leadership to ensure our work stays aligned with MSU’s mission and responsive to Michigan’s communities.

Quentin Tyler

Director

Deanna East

Associate Director, Campus Operations

Matt Shane

Associate Director, Field Operations

Executive Assistant: Lori Martin

Executive Secretary: Marie Garcia

Address: 446 W. Circle Drive, Room 409
Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-3704
Phone: 517-355-2308

Michigan State University Extension Institute Leadership

MSU Extension is built to meet people where they are — geographically, culturally, and across the full spectrum of Michigan’s needs. To do that well, we organize our statewide work into four program areas called institutes. These institutes reflect the major ways we support Michigan families, businesses, communities, and youth every day:

Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI)

Partnering with Michigan's producers and industry leaders to solve problems, improve operations, and advance and apply the latest agricultural research.

Executive Assistant, Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute: Becky Heim

Ron Bates

Agriculture & Agribusiness Institute Director
batesr@msu.edu
517-432-7693
Jeannine Schweihofer, PhD

Agriculture & Agribusiness Institute Associate Director
grobbelj@msu.edu

Children and Youth Institute/4-H (CYI)

Supporting families and helping young people find their spark —from leadership and civic engagement to science, arts, and agriculture — through our flagship youth development program, 4-H.

Office Supervisor, Children and Youth Programs: Nick Adkins

Lisa Bottomley

Children & Youth Institute Co-Director
lbottoml@msu.edu
517-432-7622
Jodi Schulz

Children & Youth Institute Co-Director
schulzj@msu.edu

Community, Food, and Environment Institute (CFEI)

Strengthening communities by supporting local food systems, land use planning, environmental stewardship, and community development, and more.

Executive Secretary, Community, Food and Environment Institute: Alyx Blauwkamp

Josh Gunn

Associate Director for Community, Food & Environment Institute
gunnjosh@msu.edu
517-355-2361
Dave Ivan

Community, Food & Environment Institute Director
ivand@msu.edu
517-432-7602

Health and Nutrition Institute (HNI)

Helping people lead healthier lives through nutrition education, chronic disease management, mindfulness, community health programs, food safety education, and more.

Executive Secretary, Health and Nutrition Institute: Anne Walacavage

Cheryl Eschbach

Health & Nutrition Institute Director
cheryl@msu.edu
517-353-1898
Erin Moore

Health & Nutrition Institute Associate Director
mooree16@msu.edu
616-632-7887

Michigan State University Extension District Leadership

To ensure our local presence across Michigan, we’re also organized into 14 multi-county districts (view the district map here).

Each district is led by a director who helps connect local communities to MSU’s statewide network of educators, programs, and resources. This innovative district model ensures that every Michigan county has direct access to the services and support they need, and the resources that matter most to their unique communities.