Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

The mission of UNH Cooperative Extension is to “provide New Hampshire citizens with research-based education and information, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that strengthen youth, families and communities, sustain natural resources, and improve the economy.” You need look no further than Catherine Violette to encounter someone who not only takes this mission to heart but who lives it in everything she does here at the University of New Hampshire.

Catherine came to work at UNH 22 years ago, after working for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County (Portland). She recalls, “I would occasionally call the UNH Cooperative Extension Nutrition Specialist (Carol Devine) for information and advice. She was so inspirational and helpful that I decided to apply for her position when she left her job to return to school. As a matter of fact, I just saw Carol at a professional meeting in May and we reminisced about her old job.”

Having a “split appointment”, Catherine spends 80% of her time working as an Extension Professor/Specialist. She is responsible for working with Extension Educators to assess educational programming needs in food safety and nutrition, developing programs to meet those needs and evaluating those programs. “At present, I am working on two research projects to determine how older adults identify whole grain foods and to develop an education curriculum on whole grain foods with and for older adults,” she says. She also has a 20% time teaching appointment in the Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Department where she teaches a 4 credit laboratory course on Nutrition Education and Counseling for Nutritional Sciences majors. She also proctors a UNH Dietetic Intern student each semester.

When asked what skills are needed for her position, Catherine says “a passion for the mission of Cooperative Extension, subject matter knowledge/expertise and the ability to translate evidence-based knowledge into education programs for a variety of target audiences so they can use that information to solve problems or improve their lives. Also needed are planning and process skills such as the ability to work in teams and facilitating groups.”

“There are many different methods we use for assessing programming needs”, she continues. “We may use one or several depending on the target audience and the resources available. An example of a more comprehensive needs assessment is a current project funded by a UNH Outreach Scholarship grant. For this grant I'm working with Dr. Alison Paglia at UNH Manchester to determine how older adults in Manchester like to learn about nutrition and specifically, whole grain foods. We met with representatives from several agencies in Manchester to get their input and suggestions for reaching older adults and developing a whole grain foods education program. We then promoted and conducted five focus group interviews with older adults in April. We had 44 older adults participate in a focus group interview. We are in the process of analyzing these data. We asked the focus group participants if they would like to volunteer to help us develop the curriculum. Our next step will be to work with this smaller group of older adult volunteers over the summer to develop the education program. This needs assessment process is important in developing and implementing an education program which will best meet the needs of older adults and result in increased consumption of whole grain foods. As I explain to the Nutritional Sciences students in the Nutrition Education and Counseling class I teach, about 2/3 of the time devoted to an education program is the needs assessment process and program development (which includes how you will evaluate the program). Since each program is different, the program development process also varies. The common denominator is that I work collaboratively with our Extension Educators on most programs. Their expertise and experience in working with various target audiences is invaluable.”

Charlene Baxter (Program Leader in UNH Cooperative Extension) says “Catherine is the epitome of an Extension Specialist! She manages relationships between Extension and Outreach, Teaching, and Research faculty with great skill. She is involved in all three arms of this land grant university - teaches an undergraduate course, directly participates as a researcher and collaborates with research faculty, and works effectively with Extension Educators across the state, the Northeast region and nationally. She has mastered each of these roles with skill and diplomacy. I consider Catherine one of UNH's best ambassadors. Catherine is particularly attuned to the changing face of today's undergraduate student and adapts her course to address the variety of learning styles represented in her classroom. She understands the necessity, in a comprehensive educational environment, to make sure students have real-world opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge. But those of us who work with Cooperative Extension can best attest to her ability to transfer the research base of the land grant system to the citizens of this state - a WIN - WIN for all involved!”

When asked what she finds most satisfying about her position, Catherine replied “The people I work with and how, together, we make a difference in the lives of NH residents. Last fiscal year, UNH Cooperative Extension conducted 44 Safety Awareness in the Food Environment (SAFE) programs reaching 893 food workers in restaurants and schools, as well as in other foodservice establishments. SAFE focuses on three key food safety practices – hand washing, preventing cross contamination and following time and temperature recommendations. Of 759 SAFE post-workshop questionnaires returned, 93% of the participants scored 75% or greater on the food safety knowledge questions. We also coordinate with the NH Department of Health and Human Services Food Protection Section's health officers, local self-inspecting cities and towns, and the NH Lodging and Restaurant Association to implement our food safety programs.”

“I have the privilege of working with a truly great group of people in Cooperative Extension and the Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Department,” Catherine says. “They are passionate about their work and meeting the educational needs of the people of NH or preparing UNH Nutritional Sciences students to be the future leaders of the profession. Durham is a beautiful campus in a wonderful location. I enjoy the view of the woods from my office window and the beautiful hawk that occasionally visits. I am continuously inspired by how UNH employees accomplish so much with so few resources.”

UNH is very fortunate to have Catherine Violette as one of its resources!