Assistant Director of Programs

Penn State Extension's assistant directors of programs oversee the planning and administration of our educational programming around our seven major focus areas. Program teams work to create priorities, programs, and products, allowing educators to maximize reach of education throughout the state.


  1. Elise Gurgevich, PhD, MPH, CHES
    Elise Gurgevich, PhD, MPH, CHES
    Job Assistant Director, Food, Families, and Communities Programs
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    Job Assistant Director, Food, Families, and Communities Programs
    Areas of expertise
    • Nutrition Links
    • Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)
    • Family Well-Being
    • Food Safety & Quality
    • Health & Wellness
    • Leadership and Community Vitality
    • Vector-Borne Disease
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  2. Michael Masiuk
    Michael Masiuk
    Job Assistant Director, Horticulture Programs
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    Job Assistant Director, Horticulture Programs
    Areas of expertise
    • Strategic Planning
    • Green Industry
    • Tree Fruit and Grapes
    • Vegetable and Small Fruits and Mushrooms
    • Master Gardener Program
    • Master Watershed Stewards Program
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  3. Nicole Santangelo Thompson
    Nicole Santangelo Thompson
    Job Interim Assistant Director, Agronomy and Natural Resource Programs
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    Job Interim Assistant Director, Agronomy and Natural Resource Programs
    Areas of expertise
    • Forages
    • Pasture Management
    • Corn Silage Production
    • Field Crop Production
    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Pesticide Education
    • SARE
    • Sustainable Agriculture
    • Water for Agriculture
    • Wildlife Food Plots
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