About Cindy Zluticky
I grew up on a farm near Bradshaw and had 13 in my graduating class, so I definitely have rural roots. My parents are both alums of University of Nebraska so there really was never a question about where I was going to college. I majored in Home Economics Education and became a Home Economics teacher and volleyball coach in Wood River, Nebraska. That was during the farm crisis and my job along with many teaching jobs was eliminated so I went back to UNL and finished my Master’s Degree in Adult Education. I was hired as a 4-H Extension Educator in Douglas/Sarpy Counties and spent the next twelve years co-leading the 4-H program there. I met my husband, Ron, who was a 4-H Educator in Minnesota when we were both presidents of our state 4-H Associations. We were married a couple years later, and I moved to Minnesota with Ron and his two daughters Dana and Lauren. My daughter, Cally, stayed in Nebraska getting her degree in Film and New Media at UNL. After a couple years in Minnesota and learning to embrace the cold we decided to move south to Kansas City, Missouri. I became the County Program Director for University of Missouri Extension in Jackson County (Kansas City) for 10 years. We loved living in Kansas City, and I became a big KC Royals fan. I then made the leap into administration and became the first Urban Regional Director for Extension and Engagement at MU. My territory included both the Kansas City area and St. Louis which meant lots of driving across Missouri. When the opportunity to come back to Nebraska Extension as the Metro District Director came up, I was humbled and excited to be able to come home and be a Cornhusker again.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am an Engagement Zone Coordinator for Zone 9 and also the Urban Program Leader for Nebraska Extension. I moved back to Nebraska in January 2019 as the Associate Research and Extension Director for the Metro District. My job changed to the new title January 1, 2020.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I had previously worked as a 4-H Extension Educator in the Douglas/Sarpy Extension office about 20 years ago and had always appreciated the professional development opportunities and investment that University of Nebraska had provided to me as I started my career in Extension. I always had hoped I’d be able to return and give back in some capacity. I am an alum of UNL and Nebraska is home to me. Being close to my parents, daughter and son-in-law and two grandsons was also a big draw. My husband and I have continued to be Nebraska Cornhusker fans over our years in Minnesota and Missouri so having the opportunity for season tickets again was a bonus!
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
I’ve worked over 30 years in Extension and this is the first opportunity to have my office on campus. I love East Campus, especially in the fall when the students return. Being headquartered on campus gives me more opportunity to get to know faculty and staff on campus and look for engagement and collaboration opportunities.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising our children and now seeing them become loving engaged parents. All three of our girls found wonderful, supportive husbands. Maybe they were listening after all!
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
When I was in college, I worked at the front desk of the East Campus Union from the day it opened its doors.
What is your life like outside of work?
Trying to spend as much time as possible with our grandsons that live in Lincoln and St. Louis. We love to travel and try to make it to the Phoenix area in the winter to catch some spring baseball. We like to spend time relaxing at home and both enjoy reading. Also try to make it out to the farm a lot. I always look forward to the garden produce and sweet corn my parents raise.