Tell us about yourself.
I am Jenny Nixon, an Extension Educator in the northwestern corner of the state. I love living in the beautiful Pine Ridge area of Nebraska. I graduated from University of Nebraska with degrees in animal science and range management. My husband and I have two grown children both currently adulting in Wyoming.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am a Nebraska Extension Educator working in the area of Rural Prosperity Nebraska. Vibrant rural communities are essential to the economic health of the entire state. I serve in a community coaching role to connect communities with resources and research, and to engage citizenry to increase economic opportunity, demographic renewal, and quality of life. I am passionate about the survival and growth of rural Nebraska communities and work with community leadership to engage citizens in conversations and actions to discover and grow the community they desire. I love seeing the visioning and hard work of engaged citizens building and bettering their communities.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I grew up in Nebraska and have a solid background in the 4-H youth development program. After attaining my bachelor’s degree, the opportunity to work as a 4-H Extension Assistant came along. I love teaching and working with people to learn new skills, so Nebraska Extension was a great fit. Later I strengthened my animal science degree with a master’s degree in range management. I took an educator position in Sioux County, with a unique variety of rangelands and lots of cows.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
Seeing participants learn new ideas and skills and incorporate them into their lives is what I enjoy most. It may be a youth learning to speak in front of an audience or a business owner who figures out how to put their business on a social media platform. Those impacts are what I enjoy most.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Probably my greatest achievement has been to start a rural prosperity project in Valentine, Nebraska and see the community growing through its challenges and increase its vitality.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
You may not know that I have been a Rodeo Queen, I am a Harley rider and I am a breast cancer survivor.
What is your life like outside of work?
I love to spend my free time working outside in my garden, or traveling to see new sites and sights.