Amplifying Statewide Impact Through Extension

GOAL 4

Amplify Oklahoma State University Extension's statewide impact through aligned, two-way outreach that connects all 77 Oklahoma counties to the expertise of the university, improves the lives of Oklahomans and brings community insight back into the heart of OSU's land-grant mission.

Oklahoma’s challenges and opportunities no longer fit neatly into traditional categories. The future of Oklahoma State University’s land-grant mission depends on the university’s ability to connect research, innovation and service directly to the people and communities it serves. At the same time, Oklahomans expect trusted institutions to provide practical guidance, timely information and real-world solutions delivered in ways that fit modern life.

That is why OSU must rethink and expand the role of Extension.

For generations, Extension has been one of OSU’s greatest strengths — a trusted presence in all 77 counties and a direct connection between the university and the people it serves. That foundation will not change. In fact, it becomes even more important in the future.

The next chapter of Extension reflects the same values that define OSU: service, character, resilience, innovation and a commitment to helping communities grow stronger. In many ways, the future of Extension represents a modern expression of the Cowboy Code — dreaming big for Oklahoma while remaining grounded in trusted relationships and practical solutions.

But the future of Extension cannot be limited to a traditional model. The next generation of Extension must become a fully integrated statewide engagement platform for the entire OSU System — connecting Oklahomans to expertise across agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, aerospace, health, business, technology, workforce development and community leadership.

OBJECTIVE 1

Strengthen Extension governance and infrastructure through an OSU System Extension Council, measurable outcomes and reciprocal community partnerships in which local priorities shape OSU’s programs, research and resource allocation.

Key Performance Indicators and Tasks 

• Increase the annual count of Oklahomans reached through community engagement programs
• Increase the number of partners with recorded measurable outcomes
  

OBJECTIVE 2 

Increase research and Extension output across the OSU System to elevate the impact of knowledge shared with Oklahomans and improve outcomes in all 77 counties through targeted modernization of communication and digital infrastructure.

Key Performance Indicators 

• Ensure all OSU Extension units have digital outreach (web sessions, video views and newsletter subscribers)
• Increase total number annual Extension contacts and program participants statewide
• Increase the number of peer-reviewed Extension publications and applied research outputs per year

OBJECTIVE 3 

Create an Extension affiliate program to expand faculty engagement with the state, county and federal partners through Extension personnel and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Key Performance Indicators and Tasks 

• Increase the number of OSU units with a formal Extension integration agreement or joint initiative
• Increase faculty appointments with a documented Extension component
• Increase the number of joint Extension funded projects per year
• Increase success rate for collaborative funded proposals

OBJECTIVE 4 

Promulgate university reappointment, promotion and tenure guidelines that recognize community-engaged scholarship as a core dimension of the Extension mission and establish transparent public accountability for OSU’s community impact.

Key Performance Indicators 

• Increase the number of academic units in which Extension work is clearly credited in reappointment, promotion and tenure criteria