Several members of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension team were honored at the 2025 Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) National Conference, held in Fort Worth, Texas. ESP, established in 1927, is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Extension professionals. 

Those recognized from UK include Natasha Lucas (central region Extension director) for administrative leadership, Paula Jerrel (4-H Extension agent) for distinguished service, Dana Anderson (4-H Extension agent) for continued excellence and Nichole Huff’s (assistant Extension professor) team for the  Promoting Recovery Online through Financial Instruction and Addiction Training (PROFIT program). 

“After 34 years of positively impacting youth and my community, this recognition stands out as one of my greatest achievements,” Anderson said. “I strive to keep a positive attitude, which I believe is essential for continuing to make a difference in the lives of the youth I work with and in my community. I have witnessed firsthand the significant impact of 4-H and Cooperative Extension, which fills me with great pride.” 

The PROFIT Program, funded by a two-year $350,000 award from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is a state-level scaling-up effort to address the opioid epidemic in Kentucky. Utilizing Cooperative Extension as a mode of program outreach and delivery, the project focuses on improving the professional capacity of community-based educators and healthcare providers.  

“We are honored to receive the 2025 ESP Distinguished Team award,” said Huff, PI on the project. “The PROFIT program represents an interdisciplinary approach to substance use recovery efforts, as we use financial literacy education to mitigate stressors often associated with return to use. With over 140 professional partners spanning national Extension programs including Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, we hope to continue program expansion as we work together to combat the overdose epidemic.” 

The PROFIT team also includes Omolola Adedokun, assistant professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development; Alexander Elswick, assistant extension professor in the School of Human Environmental Sciences; and UK Associate Dean for Extension, Jennifer Hunter. 

“Kentucky’s Extension system is among the best in the nation, and these national awards reflect the innovation, commitment, and excellence of our staff, agents, specialists and administrators,” Hunter said. “Their leadership continues to elevate the work we do for the Commonwealth.” 

For more information on Kentucky Extension, visit https://extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/. 

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-46100-38168. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of Agriculture. 

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Writer: Grace Sowards 

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