Oklahoma State University: Hines Honored As OSU Extension Distinguished Educator

Press release from Oklahoma State University:

2022-01-31

Oklahoma County Director LaDonna Hines has been named the 2022 Oklahoma State University Extension Distinguished Educator. She recently was recognized during an awards presentation
in Stillwater.

The Distinguished Educator award is the most prestigious title attainable by a county
educator, district program specialist or area specialist. Distinguished educators
serve as role models for other Extension educators and are expected to uphold the
highest standards of OSU Extension. The recipient must have conducted a strong county,
district or area program and established a state, regional or national reputation
as an outstanding educator.

“We are pleased to recognize LaDonna’s distinguished career in Extension with this
honor reserved for a select few,” said Damona Doye, associate vice president of OSU
Extension. “She does exemplary work and is a role model for others. She has been innovative
in advancing the Extension mission and stands out for her vision and service to Extension
in her local community, in the state and nationally.”

Hines is a registered dietician who joined OSU Extension in 2001 as the Community
Nutrition Education Program area coordinator for the northwest district. She also
served five years as the Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development educator in Oklahoma County before assuming the role of county director in 2009.

Hines’ career has presented a wealth of fulfilling educational opportunities to help
communities thrive and Oklahomans acquire valuable life skills.

“The services we provide are priceless, and I’ve learned the importance of building
relationships with state legislators, county commissioners, budget boards, commodity
groups and city government,” she said. “It is very rewarding each day to serve and
make a difference in the world.”

“It has been refreshing to see the strong relationships LaDonna has developed with
Oklahoma County elected officials,” said Claude Bess, OSU Extension director for the southeast district. “She is highly respected by local
officials and regarded as a leader in the county.”

Hines leads an office of 17 employees and more than 400 volunteers while assisting
educators with programming and curriculum development. Her dedication to the role
is evident in the many projects she has helped established over the years, including
the Master Wellness Volunteer Program in 2017. She, along with a group of OSU Extension
specialists, obtained funding to train FCS volunteers on how to incorporate health
and wellness habits into their daily lives.

As the Oklahoma County Extension director, Hines is active in all program areas, including
horticulture, urban agriculture and natural resources. She assists 4-H educators with
water conservation programs made possible through a five-year grant secured from the
Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust. The project received the Oklahoma Extension Association
of Family and Consumer Sciences Environmental Education Award and the OSU Extension
State Outstanding Team Award in 2020.

“Since 2019, we have created and delivered 24 different innovative water conservation
programs and reached 4,414 participants,” Hines said. “I’ve got an awesome team, and
when they have a win, I have a win.”

In addition to securing program funding, she regularly partners with local media to
recognize 4-H members and their outstanding community service projects. Hines has
completed the OSU Advanced Leadership Program and OSU Extension Mentor Training. She
is a member of Oklahoma Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, CE-FCS
Ambassadors and National Urban Extension Leaders.

“LaDonna is nationally known in urban Extension,” Bess said. “The organization’s mission
is to advocate and advance the strategic importance and long-term value of urban Extension
activities, and she has done a tremendous job in this capacity.”

Hines has also been instrumental in the creation and design of a unique farmers market
concept scheduled to debut in northeast Oklahoma City in May.

“In the next two or three years, I envision this market feeding the community and
providing an additional outlet for farmers to sell their produce,” she said. “When
our office moved to northeast Oklahoma City in 2015, it was a food desert. The legacy
I want to leave is one of establishing a food access hub for residents many years
into the future.”

Outside of her OSU Extension responsibilities, Hines enjoys spending time with her
husband, children and grandchildren. She has devoted 20 years to OSU Extension and
views her team members as close as family. When asked what advice she has for younger
peers, she suggested making the most of the organization’s potential for community
partnerships.

“There’s always networking and opportunities for programming,” Hines said. “My biggest
weakness is my big heart, but it’s also my greatest strength. I like to give back
and pay it forward when I can, and when you have a great staff like I do, you want
to work hard for them.”

This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.