Jan Carroll Honored with Cooperative Extension Award

Jan Carroll, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension 4-H youth specialist in Fort Collins, was recognized for her service to Cooperative Extension with the Early Career Service Award at the annual Colorado State Cooperative Extension awards banquet on Sept. 26.

The Early Career Service Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the organization and is given each year to people with less than 10 years of service to Colorado State Cooperative Extension.

Carroll’s many contributions to the program began in 1994 when she started as a family resource specialist.

"Jan’s ‘can do’ spirit is modeled through her extensive efforts to support field faculty. She truly exemplifies Extension’s commitment to bettering the lives of Coloradans," said Milan Rewerts, Colorado State Cooperative Extension director.

In the eight years Carroll has been with the program, she has worked to expand opportunities for Colorado’s workforce through her dedication to youth involved in Colorado State 4-H programs.

Through her work with Colorado State Cooperative Extension, Carroll increased family literacy for clients in two community family centers. Both centers are now funded, housed, staffed, connected to the Internet and delivering programs to families even though the federal grant has ended.

In a one-day conference on youth financial education presented by Carroll, educators were given the opportunity to learn about resources available in Colorado. Participants also received mini-grants to take immediate action on their conference learning.

Carroll uses her facilitation skills to lead various teams to higher levels of performance by helping them find solutions to problems and obstacles. Her colleagues say that in every aspect of her work she demonstrates big-picture thinking as well as attention to detail, enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity and the ability to collaborate to get results.

Carroll has received many awards and honors for her extensive contributions to the field. In 2002, she received the Colorado Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Service Award and the Communication Award. In 2000 and 2001, she was the Colorado Association of Extension 4-H Agents State Winner along with the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Western Regional Communicator Team Award recipient.