VSU’s Foundational Partnership Brings Combined Expertise and Resources to Virginia’s Communities
Virginia State University (VSU) collaborates with a wide range of external organizations, including businesses, state agencies and community groups. However, its foundational partnership is with Virginia Tech through Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), established in 1914. As part of a state-mandated collaboration, VSU and VT combine their expertise and resources to support the well-being of Virginians across the Commonwealth.
"VCE is unique," says Dr. Janine Woods, Associate Extension Administrator at VSU. "We are one Cooperative Extension system across two universities, and we share the same county agents, as agreed upon in a 1950s MOU. This ensures a unified approach to service delivery across Virginia."
This partnership brings together specialists across all four key areas: Agriculture & Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences (Health & Nutrition) and Community Resource Development. These specialists work together to deliver tailored, research-backed solutions that meet the social, economic and environmental needs of Virginia's communities.
The collaborative efforts between VSU and VT were especially evident during the recent flooding that devastated southern Virginia. VSU provided the trailer that transported supplies from eastern Virginia to southwestern Virginia, while administration from both institutions met in the early morning hours every day to provide support to those communities. “VCE coordinated the delivery of hay from eastern Virginia and organized farmers with horses to access flooded areas where roads had washed out,” says Dr. Woods. “While other emergency responders leave when the immediate crisis is over, VCE remains to support recovery and rebuilding.”
With the combined knowledge and resources of both universities, Extension at VSU is addressing critical challenges and working to create sustainable solutions that uplift all Virginians. As VSU Extension continues to expand its partnerships with industry and state agencies, including the Virginia Department of Public Health, it remains committed to strengthening the communities it serves through research, outreach and collaborative problem-solving.
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