You hopefully have read many of the MASGC extension- and education-focused blog posts that have been shared in previous weeks and have been impressed by the range and depth of these programs. This post is focused on how our Sea Grant program connects to the national Sea Grant extension network.
Forward-looking Sea Grant extension leaders created the Sea Grant Extension Assembly decades ago as a way to build and support the network of state-based Sea Grant extension programs, which support hundreds of extension professionals around the country. This national network of state-based networks helps us share ideas and perspectives within and outside Sea Grant.
What does the assembly do?
The assembly is made up of the extension leaders from each of the 34 Sea Grant programs, and I am honored to represent our Sea Grant program as the assembly member. Paraphrasing the bylaws, the purpose of the assembly is to promote communication and interaction among the Sea Grant extension programs and with others in and outside of the Sea Grant network. The assembly also works to improve the delivery of science-based information to groups at the local, regional and national levels in support of the Sea Grant mission.
Through awards and discussion of emerging issues and opportunities, the assembly supports innovative extension programming and engagement within the Sea Grant Extension programs.
The assembly meets annually, and California Sea Grant hosted the 2023 Sea Grant Extension Assembly Meeting last week in San Diego, California. There was a wide-range of participants including extension leaders, specialists and agents, educators, research coordinators, communicators, directors and fiscal officers. The event was rich with discussion and engagement over a 2.5-day period covering an array of extension-related priorities spanning diverse topics.
Some of those topics included artificial intelligence in extension, ADA compliance, story maps, oral history methods, economic valuation of programming, implementing community-centered extension programming and a training for self and community care. In addition, because the National Sea Grant Office has released more than $100 million in competitive funding during the last three years, we shared strategies and best management practices to respond to these research, extension and education funding opportunities.
We were all focused on identifying ways we can better serve the communities in our state, region and nation. We engaged with professionals from across the country who work in state-based Sea Grant programs, the National Sea Grant Office and the National Sea Grant Advisory Board. The lessons learned and information shared at the meeting will be transferred back to our home states for implementation.
Dedicated Sea Grant network is inspiring
Whenever you fill a room with such a diverse group of people from around the country, with a passion for service, there is a high level of energy and momentum to bring innovative and exciting programming back home. Sea Grant is fortunate to have a such a strong network of professionals with a wide range of expertise and experience who serve coastal science to communities, just like our own Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium’s Engagement and Education Team. The assembly provides an important network that helps us better serve people in Alabama, Mississippi and beyond.
Meet the author
Steve Sempier, Ph.D.
Director
Steve Sempier serves as Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant's director. Steve joined MASGC in 2007 and became director in 2026. As director, he provides overall leadership and management for all MASGC... Read more
Phone: 228-818-8830
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