UACES Facebook Alpha Iota Chapter Epsilon Sigma Phi - Arkansas Extension Service
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ESP Chapter Logo for Arkansas

Your Key to Professional Excellence  

The Extension Professionals' Organization, Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP), is dedicated to fostering standards of excellence in the Extension System and developing the Extension profession and professional.

We invite you to join and become involved in our organization of Extension professionals because of the:

  • Professional and personal development, programming, and leadership opportunities
  • Interdisciplinary nature of ESP and the networking opportunities
  • Recruiting & mentoring
  • Awards & honor

Epsilon Sigma Phi leads the Extension System in providing and facilitating professional development that focuses on the Extension organization and the Extension professional.

The Alpha Iota Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi is the one Extension professional organization that 
looks after the needs of the whole Extension family. United, we are a powerful group. 
The mission of Epsilon Sigma Phi is to foster the standard of excellence in the Extension System 
and to develop the Extension Profession and Professional. 

Our vision is to provide and facilitate professional development that focuses on the Extension 
organization and the Extension professional. Epsilon Sigma Phi will give you answers to tough 
questions such as: 

  • How do I get money for professional improvement?
  • How do I succeed in Extension?
  • How do I get recognition for outstanding educational programs?
  • How do I develop my leadership skills?
  • How can I help Extension gain greater support? 

Benefits include scholarship and award opportunities, professional development grants, public service, training and support, mentoring and more.

View Benefit Facts

Join a CommitteeAs a member of ESP, one of the best ways to learn excellence and develop professional skills is to join a committee and learn by doing. It's also a great way to give back.

Find your place to serve in ESP

 

ESP Award Descriptions

Notes:

  • It is important that you enter the correct Awards and Recognition Chair email address into the application form in order for the chapter to receive their copy of the application.
  • When an online recognition application is submitted the applicant/nominator will have the opportunity to print the application.  
  • Links to the appropriate nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the Awards and Recognition Chair.
  • Award applications are due by "TBD"

Distinguished Service Award
Designed to pay the highest chapter tribute to an experienced Extension professional who has consistently exhibited continuing leadership and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation, in program and/or administration over a career of 20 or more years. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Continued Excellence Recognition Award:
This gives recognition to an experienced Extension professional with twenty-plus years of experience who has exhibited continued leadership, the initiative, and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation in program or administration, on a state, regional, and/or national level in the years after receiving the state Distinguished Service Award. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting the needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination. An Extension professional will be come eligible for this recognition after five years of receiving the Chapter Distinguished Service Award.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Early Career Service Award:This award is designed to recognize the achievements of rising young professionals who have shown noteworthy enthusiasm, performance, and accomplishment during the early Extension careers (less than 10 years) in program design and delivery.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Mid-Career Service Award:This recognition is designed to pay tribute to an experienced extension professional (with 10-20 years of service) who has exhibited continuing leadership and excellence in state Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation in the program and/or administration.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

International Service Award
This recognition is available to Epsilon Sigma Phi members who have contributed significantly to the development and/or expansion of an Extension program in another country or countries through in-state and/or overseas work.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Meritorious Support Service Award:
Pays tribute to staff that has shown support for the mission, program, and professional staff of Cooperative Extension. Such persons include secretaries, program assistants, camp directors, motor pool managers, public distribution clerks, print shop operators, budget analysts, computer operators, and others. Several recognitions can be presented each year.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Retiree Service Award:
This award is designed to recognize continuing contributions and outstanding service by retired Extension professionals.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Visionary Leadership Award:
Designed to recognize Extension professionals whose significant accomplishments have resulted in leading Extension forward in new directions.  This person's visionary leadership enabled Extension to anticipate a significant new opportunity and developed support to implement program organizational changes necessary to achieve success.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Administrative Leadership Recognition Award:
Recognizes an Extension Professional who has shown noteworthy administrative enthusiasm, performance, and accomplishment during their Extension careers (10 years or more).  Administrative leadership may be at county, regional, chapter, program, department, or national level.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Distinguished Team Award
Designed to recognize outstanding efforts of Extension staff teams (two or more individuals) for responding to and incorporating into a specific educational program one or more critical issues. Critical issues may be defined by local, regional, state or national need. At least 50% of the team must be ESP members in good standing.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Diversity Individual Award
Acknowledges outstanding efforts and accomplishments in developing, achieving and sustaining Extension programs and/or audiences in our diverse and multicultural society.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Diversity Team Award
Acknowledges outstanding efforts and accomplishments in developing, achieving and sustaining Extension programs and/or audiences in our diverse and multicultural society. At least 50% of the team must be ESP members in good standing.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Tenure 25 Year Award:
This recognition is for 25 years of Extension service, excluding other governmental (Civil Service) employment and military service time. (These are recognized through the USDA tenure recognition which is also available to Extension employees.) Recipients must be current ESP members.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Friend of Extension Award:
This is the highest recognition presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi chapter to a non-Extension (lay) person. This award is designed to recognize truly outstanding support and personal involvement in Extension efforts.

Contact the Awards and Recognition chair to apply

Award applications are due by "TBD"

2024 ESP Officers

President  Laura Hendrix
President-Elect Keith Cleek
Vice-President Alicia Hugen
Secretary Terrie James
Treasurer   Valerie Turner
Past President Diana Morian

Officers are elected at the annual meeting in December with the term starting January 1st. 

2024 ESP Committee Members

Scholarships, Grants and Recognition Pam Pruett (Chair)
Resource Development & Management Alicia Hugen (Chair)
Constitution and Bylaws

Diana Morian (Chair), Susan Pickle, Pam Pruett
Public Issues Becky McPeake (Chair)
Membership Recruitment and Retention Susan Pickle (Chair)
Memorial/Necrology

Valerie Turner (Chair)
Nomination (Officers) Alicia Hugen (Chair)
Professional Development Vacant
Global Relations Mary Ann Kizer (Chair)
Retiree/Life Member Susan Pickle (Chair)
Marketing (includes newsletter & website) Diana Morian (Chair)

Committee members are chosen at the member meeting in the spring.


Members Only Information

Login is required

  • Employees can use their AD credentials
  • Life members will use the "special" life-member credentials. If you don't know them contact one of the current officers.

Visit the members only section for the following information:

  • Current officers and committee members
  • Current membership list
  • Archived files:
    • Annual meeting minutes
    • Past officers and committee member assignments
    • Past membership lists
    • ByLaws (current & past)
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