Browsing by Author "Johnson, Lonnie"
Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Early Career Extension Professional Development Needs Assessment ReportVines, Karen A.; Cletzer, David Adam; Westfall-Rudd, Donna M.; Hunnings, Joseph; Vines, Neal T.; Johnson, Lonnie; Lambur, Michael Thomas; Sumner, Mark W. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2015)Introduction and Background: Virginia Cooperative Extension hired 100 new agents from 2011 to 2014. This study was initiated to determine professional development needs for these early career agents, many of whom are also members of the millennial generation. The hope was that by developing professional development programs to specifically meet the needs of these new agents we may contribute to their career longevity and success. The study consisted of a series of focus groups in which a representative sample of agents hired in the past three years provided information, initially for use in a system-wide electronic survey. However, as the research team reviewed the findings it was determined that there were significant improvements that could be identified and made based on the current findings without support from the system-wide survey. Therefore, the plan for the survey covering all topics was abandoned. What has evolved is a series of recommendations to support career longevity in a collaborative environment, taking into consideration the work-life integration and professional development needs of Extension professionals within Virginia Cooperative Extension. This document serves as a summary of findings and recommendations that have resulted from this process.
- Early Career Extension Professional Development Needs Assessment ReportVines, Karen A.; Cletzer, D. Adam; Westfall-Rudd, Donna M.; Hunnings, Joseph; Sumner, Mark W.; Vines, Neal T.; Johnson, Lonnie; Lambur, Michael (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021-09-30)Virginia Cooperative Extension hired 100 new agents from 2011 to 2014. This study was initiated to determine professional development needs for these early career agents, many of whom were also members of the millennial generation. The hope was that by developing professional development programs to specifically meet the needs of these new agents we would contribute to their career longevity and success. The study consisted of a series of focus groups in which a representative sample of agents hired in the past three years provided information. What has evolved is a series of recommendations to support career longevity in a collaborative environment, taking into consideration the work-life integration and professional development needs of Extension professionals within Virginia Cooperative Extension. This document is a modified version of the original report provided to the VCE Leadership team in January 2016 and contains a summary of findings and recommendations of the study. A follow-up article (Vines et al., 2018) published by the team highlights some of the changes that were observed in the years immediately following the study.
- New VCE Onboarding - Professional Development SurveyVines, Karen A.; Johnson, Lonnie; Bishop, Hannah; Paulette, Morgan; Pearson, Jocelyn; Spencer, Janet; Thompson, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications, 2022-11-08)This survey was developed in 2021 to provide insight into onboarding and professional development needs for Virginia Cooperative Extension. The survey was used as a census survey across the various roles and program areas represented in the VCE organization. The survey collects data associated with time in VCE and other Extension organizations, as well as self-perceived data of the Extension professional related to their career stage (Rennekamp & Nall, 1994). While the purpose was determining onboarding needs, the survey also provides insight into training needs across career stages as well as training preferences. Data collected for VCE using this survey is available at https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ALCE/alce-278/ALCE-278.pdf.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Mid-Career Focus Group Findings - CompetenciesVines, Karen A.; Baughman, Sarah; Clark, Neil; Gregg, Cynthia; Henderson, Jane; Johnson, Lonnie; Wallace, Ruth E. (2022-01-12)This publication includes findings of focus groups conducted with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents and specialists in spring 2021 related to competencies. This area of inquiry was one of four categories included in the study of mid-career agents and specialists, between three and seven years of service, to evaluate their needs at this stage in their career. Findings associated with competencies address three of the four objectives of this project: 1) Identify career-related challenges experienced by VCE professionals in years three to seven in their careers, 2) Identify opportunities for change in the work environment or professional development programming that increase support and retention for Extension professionals in this time, and 3) Identify unique and shared needs for Extension agents and specialists.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Mid-Career Focus Group Findings - Methodology and DemographicsVines, Karen A.; Baughman, Sarah; Clark, Neil; Gregg, Cynthia; Henderson, Jane; Johnson, Lonnie; Wallace, Ruth (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021-11-12)Extension professionals often leave for industry and other similar organizations between their third and seventh work anniversary. This is also the time when Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) faculty go through their initial promotion within the organization and are first eligible to become members of Epsilon Sigma Phi. There is a significant cost in getting an agent to this point in his or her career. It has often been expressed that Extension trains these agents, and then they move on to greener pastures. However, we have not thoroughly explored why they leave. This study allows us to identify challenges and develop possible interventions that may encourage these agents to stay in the organization. This study looked at mid-career agents and specialists between three and seven years of service to evaluate their needs at this stage in their career. Through a series of focus groups, the research team identified the challenges and needed support for these agents. The purpose of the project was to identify professional development opportunities, and possible changes that might encourage mid-career VCE professionals to remain in the Extension organization. Objectives for the project were to 1) Identify career-related challenges experienced by VCE professionals in years three to seven in their careers, 2) Identify opportunities for change in the work environment or professional development programming that increase support and retention for Extension professionals in this time, 3) Identify unique and shared needs for Extension agents and specialist, and 4) Increase visibility, membership, and activity for the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) within VCE. The VCE Continuing Professional Development Specialist served as the lead researcher on this project. To better achieve these goals, other members of the research team included the leadership of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of ESP, and the VCE Associate Director for Field Operations and Administration. This project was supported by a national ESP professional development grant. ESP is often referred to as the professional development organization for Extension veterans. There are chapters across the country. This is an honorary fraternity and Extension professionals are invited to join, generally in the mid-career stage, dependent on the bylaws of the state chapter. In Virginia, Extension professionals are eligible to join ESP after their third year in the organization. Roles of individuals eligible to join ESP are also determined by the state organization. In Virginia, membership is open to all agents, specialists, and administrators within VCE. This project was divided into four categories. These are 1) competency areas, 2) sources of stress, 3) role of needs assessment in work, and 4) mentoring and support. Warm-up questions provided demographic data for the project. This project was deemed “not human subjects research” by the Virginia Tech Institutional Resource Board. This publication provides the background, methodology, and demographics for this project. Specific reports are provided for each category.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Onboarding 2021 Survey FindingsVines, Karen A.; Johnson, Lonnie; Bishop, Hannah; Paulette, Morgan; Pearson, Jocelyn; Spencer, Janet; Thompson, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021-10-26)Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) gathered input in 2020 to develop an Organizational Effectiveness Plan (VCE, 2021). Item 2.5.2 is to “develop on-boarding and training programs using appropriate pedagogy, to ensure new employees understand their job expectations and are supported through their transition to their new careers (VCE, 2021, p. 3).” As part of this process two committees were developed within VCE and one of the preliminary activities was to conduct a census survey of the organization. This report contains the findings from that survey and is intended to serve as a resource in the development of on-boarding and training programs in VCE.