I am a Professor of Practice in the Department of Crop and Soil Science. In my work, I create professional development opportunities and context-specific resources for Extension faculty and staff in the College of Agricultural Sciences that support evidence-based approaches to instructional design, active teaching strategies, and translating data into useful information.

My goal is to empower Extension professionals to develop their own learner-centered educational design practice that will achieve the desired impacts in their communities. To leverage our collective teaching experience across the nation, I lead the Extension Teaching Network. I also conduct applied research on Extension educational development frameworks to determine effective ways to enhance faculty knowledge and skills in creating and teaching empowering adult education. If you would like me to teach capacity-building programs with Extension professionals at your university please contact me.


Areas of focus

  • Professional Development: I provide relevant learning experiences that support Extension faculty in expanding their knowledge of the science of learning and building skills in instructional design and learner-centered teaching. I also provide individual or team consultations on teaching and learning specifically for the Extension context.
  • Extension Teaching Network: I lead monthly Zoom gatherings to provide a venue for sharing teaching and learning insights and to demonstrate new tools to enhance engagement.
  • Collaborative Extension Projects: I engage in educational projects with Extension professionals around the state and internationally to enhance the adoption of sustainable practices. My interests also include expanding the reach of educational initiatives through the development of approaches to co-creating train-the-trainer programs with producers and other community members.
  • Service: I serve as a member of the Western Region Evaluators Network (WREN), OSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women, and Chair of the Peer Evaluation of Teaching Committee for the Crop and Soil Science Department.

Publications and Resources

Mary’s ResearchGate Profile

Mary’s CV (December 2022)

Extension Educational Program Design and Teaching:

IPM Program Evaluation Online Toolkit:

Print Friendly, PDF & Email