by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS
A name and face familiar to those in Polk County and across the UF/IFAS Southwest Extension District has been named interim director of the district.
Nicole Walker, director of UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and associate director of the Southwest Extension District, has been selected to lead during the search for a new director. Walker replaces Brenda Rogers, who retired Jan. 10 after nine years in the position.
Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension, made the announcement.
“Nicole is an outstanding Extension leader and educator,” Johnson said. “She’s been deeply committed to serving the people of Polk County, and she’s also worked side-by-side with Brenda Rogers as they’ve helped Southwest Florida face enormous challenges.”
Walker said she’s “deeply honored” by the appointment.
“It’s a significant milestone in my professional growth journey, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by the Dean for Extension,” she said. “Having served under Ms. Rogers, I have gained invaluable insights and experiences, and I’m grateful for her mentorship and guidance.”
“I am excited to continue supporting and collaborating with the dedicated and highly productive faculty and staff of the Southwest Extension District and am eager to contribute to their ongoing success,” Walker said. “I also will strive to continue fostering connections with the county administrators and department directors of the 11 counties, and with our UF/IFAS research and education center directors in Southwest Florida.”
Florida’s Southwest Extension District encompasses Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
Walker began her Extension career as a 4-H agent in Polk County in 1999 and has taken on roles of increasing responsibility since then. In 2009, she was named director of UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and in 2021, Walker was named associate director of the Southwest Extension District.
In selecting Walker as interim District Extension Director (DED), Johnson emphasized additional training she’s completed. She recently graduated from Leadership Polk, a 10-month program that brings together community leaders whose goal is to develop a diverse network of visionaries committed to building a vibrant future for Polk County.
As associate DED, Walker continued to lead the county’s Extension office, with a small 4-H assignment in collaboration with the lead 4-H agent of the county.
During the interim period, Bridget Stice, an agent with UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, will serve as the interim county Extension director. Stice is a 28-year veteran of UF/IFAS Extension, with a specialty in livestock education. She’s worked in Polk County for the past 17 years, building strong connections in agriculture and natural resources and supporting the continued viability of local agriculture, Walker said.
Walker will support about 70 agents, in collaboration with the county Extension directors. She will collaborate with county administrators to create meaningful partnerships and communicate effectively to support the residents of the district.
“I will also aim to strengthen the bonds with local governments that depend on Extension expertise to solve critical community needs,” Walker said.
Priorities also include filling all vacant positions and supporting the efforts of county Extension directors in maintaining strong, highly-effective teams.
As associate director, much of Walker’s focus in the first three years of her role was training faculty and staff on federal civil rights compliance, in preparation for an upcoming formal review of compliance with federal law. She also provided support in the permanent status and promotion process and hiring of vacant county-based faculty positions. While serving as the interim director, she will continue in that educational effort.
