Kirby, Monks Named Interim Co-Directors of NC State Extension

Sarah Kirby and David Monks will become the interim associate deans and directors of NC State Extension when Richard Bonanno departs at the end of August. The co-directors will jointly oversee NC State Extension, which offers more than 26,000 educational programs statewide, connecting North Carolinians with NC State’s cutting-edge research to create practical solutions and applications across all 100 counties and the Qualla Boundary. 

“It has been the honor of my career to lead NC State Extension and serve alongside our experts. Extension will be in good hands with Sarah Kirby and David Monks, both long-time members of the Extension family,” Bonanno said. “The transition should be seamless and ensure that all of our Extension experts and stakeholders continue to receive the guidance and support they need.”

Garey Fox, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said that a national search for a new associate dean and director is underway.

“For more than 100 years, Extension has been the go-to resource for connecting research and education to communities. It is a vital, thriving arm of our land-grant mission and the university’s largest outreach unit, and we are so appreciative of Rich Bonanno’s leadership at both the college and university levels,” Fox said. “Sarah Kirby and David Monks are veterans of Extension and know it inside and out. They will bring crucial insight into their roles as interim associate deans, and I look forward to working with them to steward Extension as we complete our national search.” 

Kirby and Monks will share the associate dean and director responsibilities. Kirby will take the lead with administrative duties on campus, acting as an advisor and liaison between the Extension network and CALS leadership. Monks will spearhead work in the field, representing NC State Extension at field days and events, handling speaking engagements off campus and serving as interim vice provost of outreach and engagement for the university. 

Kirby currently serves as assistant director for NC State Extension and professor in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. She also serves as state program leader for Family and Consumer Sciences, providing leadership and direction for Extension FCS programs across the state. She is the state coordinator for Extension’s national Healthy Homes Partnership, which focuses on improving health and safety by reducing housing hazards that cause injury and disease. 

“I’m looking forward to working with David and all of Extension’s leadership team during this time of transition,” Kirby said. “Dr. Bonanno is leaving NC State Extension in a great position — our county partnerships are strong, our programs are impactful and we have a clear direction as identified in our strategic plan. We hope to continue that momentum as we prepare for our next Extension director.”

Monks currently serves as associate director of the N.C. Agricultural Research Service in CALS, a position he has held since 2013, and works directly with industry partners in agriculture to build impactful research and relationships statewide. He joined the NC State University Department of Horticultural Science in 1989 and served as an Extension leader and assistant department head. He was also responsible for weed management in vegetable and fruit crops. 

“Extension has been a large part of my personal life growing up on the farm and as a farmer, and professionally working as an Extension specialist,” Monks said. “I am excited to work with Sarah and the rest of the leadership team for NC State Extension and continue to facilitate how it positively impacts citizens and their lives across North Carolina, and nationally and internationally.”

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