We are pleased to announce that Mr. Joshua B. McDonald, MPA has been named the new Nutrition Education Programs Coordinator. In this capacity, he will oversee programming direction for both our SNAP-ED and EFNEP programs. Joshua started his new position on March 1, 2021.Joshua B. McDonald is a native of Albany, Georgia. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University in Political Science in 2012 and his Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Southern University and A&M College in 2018. In 2019, he began employment with the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC). As a part of the SUAREC’s Cooperative Extension Department, he currently serves as the Nutrition Education Programs (NEP) Coordinator of the SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Programs. In this role, he also manages the social media platforms and social marketing campaign.

Mr. McDonald is an exceptional team player that play multiple roles throughout the SUAREC. He serves as the IT Support Assistant and Graphic Content Creator of the Enhancing Capacity Certification Programs. He has participated in two (2) eXtension – National Cooperative Extension Innovation Summits, where he represented the SUAREC in grant-funded award competitions on programming and innovation initiatives. In Fall of 2020, he was selected by the SUAREC to attend and become a member of the 1890’s Cooperative Extension Leadership Academy.

In addition, Mr. McDonald extends his services to the ongoing successes of the SUAREC by participating on 2 Extension Magazine editorial committees, operating the Cooperative Extension social media page, and assisting in operating digital and live content highlighting program areas.

Previously, Joshua served as SNAP-ED’s Field & Virtual Program Coordinator. He facilitated the Facebook LIVE Series which conducted a total of sixty-seven live lessons, reaching a viewership audience of over thirty thousand. Topics covered during the series included: Eating Healthy on a Budget, Incorporating Exercise into Your Daily Schedule, Healthy Eating Snacks for Children During Summer, Preserving & Canning, Container Gardening, Food Safety, and more.