The newest member of the Lincoln County Extension Service team will be putting her skills to work helping boost community development in the local area.

“Brookhaven is a charming town. I look forward to meeting and working with this great community of people,” said Ashley Tucker of Jackson, the new local Extension agent for community resource development.

She joins a team of professionals working to provide effective programming priorities and deliver methods for the Lincoln County Extension educational effort in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer education, 4-H youth development and enterprise and community resource development.

Over the next few weeks Tucker plans to reach out to various citizen groups, civic organizations, economic development agencies, and units of local government.

“I want to hear about the work these groups are currently engaged in and learn what the needs of the community are. My job is defined based on these needs,” she said.

With the resources of Extension and existing community assets, Tucker will work with stakeholders to design and deliver quality educational programs, training activities and provide information and technical assistance.

“My job will not focus solely on one area of community development, but it will be tailored to fit specific needs that fall under the community development umbrella, which could be economic development, healthcare, workforce development and more,” Tucker said. “Once the needs have been identified and assessed, I can then tailor my job to address those needs.”

Tucker, who was born and raised in Greenville, received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Mississippi Valley State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Delta State University.

She is currently pursuing a certificate in project management from the University of California at Berkeley, which she will complete in December.

Prior to joining Extension, Tucker worked for a non-profit organization as project manager for multiple healthcare and education projects and fiscal manager for a multi-million dollar Department of Education grant.