A Farewell to Purdue Extension: Reflecting on 13 Years of Global Impact
By: Amanda Dickson, International Extension Specialist
After 13 meaningful years with Purdue Extension, I’ll be stepping away from my role as international Extension specialist at the end of July.
I’ve been fortunate to serve in a variety of roles, from my early days as an ANR/4-H educator in Brown County, to Morgan County ANR, interim Area 9 director, and finally supporting global engagement across the system. I’m especially proud of our work on the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Trinidad and Tobago, where Indiana farmers and Extension educators collaborated with Trinibagonian partners to address food insecurity and climate resilience.
I’m equally inspired by the LASER PULSE project in northern Iraq, where the University of Duhok adapted our Extension model to local needs and is now opening its first Agricultural Extension office in the Amedi district. Outside of my formal duties, mentoring students in the Peace Corps Prep program and serving as an advisor to the Gemini men’s cooperative have been especially rewarding.
International Extension continues to evolve alongside a changing global and institutional landscape. The support is strong, and many of us remain committed to collaboration, cultural exchange and impactful non-formal education. I believe this work still holds tremendous potential and will find renewed momentum in the years to come.
Looking ahead, my husband and I will be moving to Portugal in late 2025 to embrace a new pace of life, explore new cultures and once again live abroad. As I make this transition, I remain confident in the future of Purdue Extension and its vital role in Indiana’s success. I also believe Purdue Agriculture will remain a world-renowned leader, recognized not only for academic excellence but for its ability to bridge research, teaching and Extension in meaningful and lasting ways.
For those seeking continuity or collaboration in the international space, please feel free to reach out to:
- Jerry Shively (Faculty and Research): shivelyj@purdue.edu
- Gary Burniske (Programs and Extension): gburnisk@purdue.edu
- Kara Hartman (Study Abroad): hartmank@purdue.edu
And if you'd like to stay in touch, I can be reached at amanda.dickson79@gmail.com.
PDC 2025 Goes Virtual: Save the Dates for December 3 & 5
By: Steve McKinley, Staff Development Specialist
The 2025 Purdue Extension Professional Development Conference (PDC) will be a two-day VIRTUAL experience. The dates are Wednesday, Dec. 3, and Friday, Dec. 5. (PDC will NOT be held on Thursday, Dec. 4.)
We are committed to offering a virtual opportunity that will be engaging and interactive for Purdue Extension professionals across the state.
Here are the expected highlights of the virtual conference.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
- Welcome from Angie Abbott, interim Purdue Extension Director
- Keynote address (presenter to be determined)
- Business Meetings for IEEA and PUCESA membership
- Department and Program Showcase, featuring campus-based and field-based professionals sharing highlights of potential collaborative efforts
- Multiple rounds of 45-minute concurrent sessions
Friday, Dec. 5*
- Multiple rounds of 45-minute concurrent sessions
- Awards Program for IEEA, PUCESA, ESP and the Director’s Office
- Area programming discussions
* NOTE: Friday’s PDC will offer the option for administrative areas to meet in person at “watch party” locations around the state to provide networking and team building opportunities. Area directors will work with area staff to determine the best option for Friday.
What you can expect over the next few weeks:
- Revisions to the PDC website to reflect the transition from an in-person PDC to a virtual PDC.
- A call for proposals process that will identify topics to be presented at the 2025 PDC.
- Updates to the virtual PDC schedule.
- Opportunities to share your successful programs and partnerships with your peers.
- Timing for submission of award nominations from each Purdue Extension professional association.
- Announcements from area directors regarding opportunities for PDC watch parties on Friday, Dec. 5.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we work together to offer an impactful PDC 2025!
Sincerely,
Steve McKinley, mckinles@purdue.edu
Staff development specialist, Purdue Extension
The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence at Purdue
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm, and Purdue University recognizes the growing prevalence of tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grammarly, DALL·E, Canva AI, Midjourney, and Otter.ai. However, it is important to note that Purdue University does not officially support these third-party services.
Approved AI Tools at Purdue
Currently, Purdue GenAI Studio and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat are available to all Purdue staff when logged in with Purdue credentials. These tools are supported and designed with Purdue’s security and privacy standards in mind.
Additional Resources
For further guidance, please review the following resources:
Faculty and staff who use AI tools to assist with job-related tasks should carefully review each tool’s terms of service, privacy policies, and data handling practices before using them or uploading sensitive information.
AI tools can be powerful collaborators, but they are not infallible. Always verify the accuracy and integrity of any AI-assisted content. Outputs may contain inaccuracies or subtle changes in wording that could alter the intended message. Users should also assume that any information entered into AI tools could become publicly accessible.
- Do not input any sensitive, confidential, or restricted data into AI tools, as these systems may log and store the information.
- Purdue-owned marks or logos should never be uploaded into third-party AI services.
Purdue’s Commitment to Ethical AI Use
Purdue Brand Studio (formerly MarComm) views AI as a valuable co-creator, but not a replacement for the human creativity, ethical judgment, and brand stewardship that define our work. Purdue marketers and communicators are ultimately responsible for carefully reviewing and approving all AI-assisted work to ensure it is accurate and aligned with Purdue’s values and distinct brand voice.
Our commitment to ethical AI use is grounded in six core principles:
- Creativity first: AI should support and amplify human creativity, not replace it. Human imagination, insight, and originality remain at the core of all Purdue Brand Studio and partner work.
- Accuracy and authenticity: Content must reflect truth, transparency, and Purdue’s brand values. AI-assisted outputs must be fact-checked, accurate, and carefully reviewed for bias.
- Human oversight: Every AI-assisted output must undergo human refinement and approval before publication.
- Ethical integrity: AI tools must be used responsibly, inclusively, and in compliance with copyright laws.
- Data privacy and security: All AI tools must be leveraged in compliance with data security and privacy standards, per policies established and followed by Purdue University.
- Flexibility and adaptability: As AI tools and innovations evolve, our guidelines and practices will also adapt. Purdue Brand Studio will continue to update resources as needed.