Public Service Programs

An outgrowth of Community Resource Development, a focal area in Virginia Agricultural Extension, Public Service Programs was expanded and organized around five program areas in 1990: Institute for Community Resource Development, Institute for Leadership and Volunteer Development, Institute for Governmental Assistance, Institute for Industrial Technical Assistance, and Economic Development Assistance Center. The Institute for Leadership and Volunteer Development and the Institute for Community Resource Development were eliminated in 1998, and Public Service Programs was organized around six program areas: tourism and technology, international trade development, technology assistance, domestic economic development, community preparedness, and the Economic Development Assistance Center. First executive director after reorganization: J. Douglas McAlister. In 2001, the name was changed to Outreach Program Development, which encompassed Continuing Education in 2003.