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New Extension Leadership at Virginia State University

In July 2008, Jewel E. Hairston was appointed associate administrator for programs with Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University (VSU). In her new role, Hairston provides leadership for Extension programming efforts in agriculture, aquaculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development.

Hairston most recently served as program leader for Extension’s Southeast District. Prior to that, she was a 4-H youth development Extension specialist at VSU. Hairston holds a master’s degree in adult and continuing education and a doctorate in career and technical education – both from Virginia Tech – and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing education at James Madison University.

Franklin D. Jackson started his new position as associate dean for Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University in October 2008. In this capacity, Jackson assists the dean/administrator of VSU’s School of Agriculture with administrative responsibilities, procures and manages resources, and works on special projects relative to the school.

Jackson’s professional experience includes several leadership roles at Alcorn State University, including vice president for Institutional Advancement, Planning, and Research, and interim dean of the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension, and Applied Sciences. He earned both a master’s degree in agricultural education and a doctorate in education from the University of Illinois, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Tuskegee University.