The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities honored two North Dakota State University leaders for their accomplishments as Fellows of the Food Systems Leadership Institute.

Frank Casey, associate director for the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, and Lynette Flage, associate director for NDSU Extension, were recognized for their contributions they have made to NDSU and the broader higher education and food systems during a ceremony at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities annual meeting.

The Food Systems Leadership Institute is a two-year executive leadership development program designed for experienced leaders in academia, government and industry. The curriculum includes three executive-style residential sessions, individual coaching, mentoring and personal projects. The program seeks to enhance personal leadership ability, develop skills and knowledge for organizational change, and broaden perspectives on integrated food systems.

“Besides learning many new skills, the program provided a great opportunity for me to broaden my perspective of the food system challenges and opportunities,” says Flage.

“The Food Systems Leadership Institute equipped me with numerous skills that I have put to many good uses,” says Casey. ““The biggest value I gained from the program was developing a network of mentors who invested a lot in me and my professional growth, for which I am so grateful.”

In Casey’s role as associate director, he is responsible for coordinating research programs for the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and helps enhance and strengthen the research mission of NDSU Agricultural Affairs.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.

In Flage’s role as associate director, she provides leadership for NDSU Extension. She helps to lead Extension’s work to empower North Dakotans to improve their lives and communities through science-based education.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from NDSU.

The Food Systems Leadership Institute is a program of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. It was created with financial support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is operated in a partnership between North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. More information is available at www.fsli.org.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Dec. 19, 2022

Contact: Frank Casey, 701-231-8577, francis.casey@ndsu.edu  

Contact: Lynette Flage, 701-231-7782, lynette.flage@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-5391, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu