Congrats to the Northeast Extension professionals honored with community development awards!
July 10, 2025
In June, several members of the National Association for Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) were recognized with awards. The awards were presented at the 2025 NACDEP meeting, which took place in Charleston, WV, and was hosted by West Virginia State University Extension. Among this year’s awardees were several Northeast NACDEP members – please join us in congratulating them on the well-deserved honor!
- Jason Entsminger: National Winner of the Excellence in Community Development Programming – Individual
- Michael Dougherty: Distinguished Career Award
- Penn State Extension: National Runner-Up and Northeast Region Winner for the Cross Program Award – Team
Jason Entsminger: National Winner of the Excellence in Community Development Programming – Individual
Jason Entsminger (University of Maine) was honored with the Individual Excellence in Community Development Work Award, which recognizes outstanding programs in any aspect of community development work or for program accomplishments relative to scholarly and creative activities, teaching and/or research effectiveness, and to show evidence of collaboration with others who help meet community development needs. Entsminger received the award in recognition of his work in 2024 as part of the team leading the development of a 10-year strategic roadmap for Maine’s outdoor recreation economy.
“I’m honored to be recognized in this way by my peers and to represent Maine and our state’s land-grant university,” said Entsminger, who is the state specialist for small business at UMaine Extension and an assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Maine Business School. “I’ve loved being able to spend the last two years collaborating with our partners in government and industry to engage Mainers in building a vision for this critical part of our economy. I look forward to delivering new Extension programming that will help implement that plan.”
Read more about the initiative and Entsminger’s role in this University of Maine announcement.
Michael Dougherty: Distinguished Career Award
Michael Dougherty (West Virginia University) was recognized for his distinguished career as a dedicated educator, visionary leader, and tireless advocate for community advancement. For more than three decades his work has shaped the landscape of community development in West Virginia and across the nation—driving meaningful change through leadership, innovation, and scholarship.
Through programs such as the Community Design Team, First Impressions, and Recruitable Communities, Michael has played a central role in preparing communities for sustainable development. He’s led strategic planning for development authorities, conducted county-level pay classification reviews, and helped craft long-term plans that foster economic growth and improve quality of life. His commitment to empowering future leaders is evident in his training of hundreds of local changemakers through initiatives like the Community Development Institute East and the Community Leadership Academy. He’s also inspired rural youth through WVU’s signature “My Hometown is Cool” program—building pride and possibility in emerging generations.
As a scholar, Michael has authored or co-authored over 40 academic publications, including more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, covering topics in governance, planning, public administration, and community development. His work has been recognized with more than 20 awards at the university, state, regional, and national levels.
Penn State Extension: National Runner-Up and Northeast Region Winner for the Cross Program Award – Team
Intergenerational Living: The Ridgway and Freeport Pilot Projects
Penn State Extension’s Intergenerational Living initiative was selected as the national runner-up and Northeast Region winner for the Cross Program Team Award. The Cross-Program Award recognizes excellence in Extension work that combines or integrates Community Resources and Economic Development (CRED) activities with work in other program areas. Penn State Extension team members include:
- Natalie Aiello
- Chi Catalone
- Robert Dickinson
- Cheyenne Filous
- Matt Kaplan
- John Turack
The initiative, which was piloted in the Pennsylvania communities of Ridgway and Freeport, engaged a diverse group of professionals, including Penn State Extension Educators and Specialists from the Food, Families, and Communities and 4-H program units, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Faculty, and Penn State Extension Client Relationship Managers. Working closely with the communities, they incorporated voices from all age groups, identified local issues, brainstormed solutions, and facilitated collaborative projects aimed at bridging generational gaps.
The team reported that the pilot communities and the Cooperative Extension System (CES) gained local awareness and increased understanding of intergenerational strategies, and together improved the overall quality of life in the community. Beyond its direct impact, the project also built lasting cross-sector partnerships that continue to benefit the community.
The team is looking forward to at least two additional intergenerational symposiums/educational events in other Pennsylvania communities. They are also translating what they’ve learned into a forthcoming Penn State Extension curriculum, “Creating Intergenerational Communities: A Facilitators Guide to Intergenerational Visioning, Placemaking, and Relationship Building,” to help guide program model dissemination.
Congratulations to all!
More about the NACDEP Awards
The NACDEP awards create a platform for community development work to be showcased in a professional setting beyond the state level and creates a pathway toward national distinction.
“Extension professionals across the country come together through our organization to learn from one another, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative community development programming. Each year, with the help of our Recognition Committee, NACDEP proudly highlights and elevates outstanding work by our members” said NACDEP President Michelle Eley of North Carolina State University Extension. “This year’s award winners represent the best Community Development Extension offers, demonstrating excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact in communities in their state and elsewhere.
Created in 2003, The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals.
NACDEP has over 350 individual memberships, serving in about 40 states and territories. Active members are currently employed as Extension professionals at 1862, 1890, and 1994 land grant institutions or have a strong interest in community and economic development Extension work.
Visit nacdep.net to learn more.