Donna Rewalt has been named director of N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Durham County Center. Rewalt will begin her position as director on March 1, 2019.
She succeeds former director Morris White, who now serves as Eastern Regional Extension Director with N.C. A&T State University.
Rewalt assumes her new role following Dr. Deborah Crandall serving as Durham’s interim Extension director since October 2018, when White announced his new position based at N.C. A&T.
Rewalt has held various positions of impact during her 14 years working for Extension in Durham County. She started in 2005 as a program coordinator, creating the innovative Parent Advocacy and Leadership Training Program, providing coaching and mentoring services to parents and families on school issues varying from special needs education to graduation. In 2007, she was promoted to outreach coordinator and formerly served as interim director of the Welcome Baby Program in 2017.
As director, Rewalt will provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the Durham County Extension staff in developing an effective total County Extension educational program. She will also provide leadership and expertise in managing and coordinating resource development for all program areas, which includes fiscal responsibility for the county- and state-appropriated funds as well as allocated funds.
When asked about her position as director, Rewalt stated, “I’m excited and proud to lead Extension’s efforts in Durham County. I love Durham and I believe in what Extension does for our community, connecting the research-based information of our land-grant universities to serve the needs of our residents through this innovative local-state partnership.”
“Donna Rewalt has all of the qualities of an effective county director including her leadership and facilitation skills, empathy for her staff, vision, innovative thinking and connections with partners in the community,” added North Central District Extension Director Susan Kelly. “She could be a great director anywhere and will be a wonderful addition to our team.”
Durham County is one of 101 N.C. Cooperative Extension centers, a strategic partnership of NC State and N.C. A&T State universities, along with county governments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These partnerships serve as a bridge between the campuses and local communities, delivering research-based education, tools and technology for all North Carolinians.