Neosho woman named to Newton County MU Extension post

(From University of Missouri Extension)

Joni Houghton of Neosho has been named the new University of Missouri Extension education program assistant for Newton County according to Jay Chism, Southwest Region director for MU Extension and Jeremey Elliott-Engel, county program director for Newton County Extension.

 

Name and title:  Joni Houghton, Education Program Assistant

 

Contact:  (417) 455-9500 or email at houghtonjs@missouri.edu

 

Education: Bachelor’s in Psychology and Counseling at Ozark Christian College, Joplin; Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR. 

 

Relevant past employment: Career 4-H’er, 1996-2007

 

Responsibilities: “Developing and implementing new programs to reach non-traditional audiences in the multi-ethnic youth populations of Newton and McDonald Counties.  I am the “Non-traditional 4-H person” here in Newton County.  I am working to reach new youth audiences that have not participated in 4-H, by developing STEM-based, fee-generating programs.  My salary is covered temporarily under grants and other funding, and so a large part of what I do is figuring out how to make my position sustainable through quality programming,” said Houghton. 

 

Are there partnering organizations with your job? “We are working to build relationships with local schools, business, and organizations that work with underserved and impoverished populations,” said Houghton.

 

What attracted you to working with MU Extension? “I was a career 4-H member and served as secretary of our local Extension Council in high school.  I loved the culture of Extension, and saw the immense difference it made in so many lives and the history and growth of agriculture.  I actually got on the website to find contact info and see about volunteering when I saw the job posting.  I am thrilled at the somewhat accidental opportunity to be an employee in this amazing organization,” said Houghton. 

 

What do you expect to accomplish in Newton County? “I want to see 4-H grow and address new content areas that reach beyond agriculture and the traditional 4-H activities of fair, camp and shows.  I want to help 4-H expand to reach new generations, instilling character values and the ability to succeed as we move into the ever-changing 21^st century,” said Houghton.