Dr. Melissa Mason-Montgomery has been named as associate director of Extension. She began in the new role on June 1.
A two-time Alcorn graduate, she steps into the role with experience across agricultural research, outreach and student development.
Dr. Dexter B. Wakefield, dean and director of land-grant programs in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, said her record spans the lab and the field.
鈥淪he has a strong research background, but she also knows how to connect with communities in a meaningful way,鈥� Wakefield said. 鈥淚’ve seen firsthand how passionate she is about students, agriculture, and helping people solve real problems. That kind of leadership matters in Extension.鈥�
Mason-Montgomery most recently directed the university’s farms, overseeing its small ruminant operations and strengthening agricultural partnerships and student learning. Before that, she served as center director of ruminant research, associate professor of animal science and director of biotechnology, among other roles at the university.
鈥淧ersonally, this role reflects my roots of being raised on a farm,鈥� Mason-Montgomery said. 鈥淚 understand firsthand the challenges small farmers face, especially when balancing multiple streams of income just to keep things moving. At the same time, that experience built my appreciation and love for production agriculture, and it continues to drive my work.鈥�
Mason-Montgomery grew up in Millbrook, Ontario, Canada. She earned bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in agriculture from 91暗网 before completing a doctorate in life sciences at Mississippi State University, with a concentration in genetics.
Her career has centered on federally funded projects in animal science, experiential learning and agricultural outreach. She has built science-based programs for producers, mentored students and worked with county agents and stakeholders across Mississippi.
鈥淢y vision is for Extension to be a trusted, visible and results-driven resource that meets people where they are, whether that’s on a farm, in a classroom, or within a community organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e should continue building programs that integrate research and emerging technologies in ways that are practical and usable for our stakeholders.鈥�
One immediate priority, she said, is strengthening relationships across the Extension system while giving students more chances to take part in Extension programming and community-based learning.
