UW Extension Honors Outstanding Administrative Professionals

This fall, the University of Wyoming Extension recognized administrative professionals in Sublette and Johnson Counties for their exceptional capabilities, dedication, and knowledge of their communities.

Awards were presented Sept. 12 at UW Extension’s annual administrative training conference in Pinedale.

Sublette County administrative assistant earns UW Extension Bright Future Award

The Bright Future Award celebrates the efforts of newer UW Extension administrative professionals. This year’s recipient is Amy Calhoun of Sublette County.

A woman with bobbed blonde hair accepts a plaque from another woman with long brown hair. — Amy Calhoun, left, accepts 2024 Bright Future Award from Kassie Weber, 2023 winner of the UW Extension Bright Future Award. Photo by Ziphora Starkey.

In Calhoun’s two years as an administrative professional in the Sublette County Extension office, she has helped organize the 2024 administrative assistant training conference, prepared for county fair, and orchestrated Achievement Night, an event that recognizes the accomplishments of Sublette County 4-H’ers.

Calhoun is dependable and will go above and beyond to meet needs within her community. When Sublette County was between 4-H educators, Calhoun informally carried out many 4-H educator responsibilities, including helping families sign up for county fair, answering questions about 4-H procedures, and attending livestock committee and fair board meetings.

“During our time overseeing the 4-H program, Amy was an excellent mediator and neutral voice of reason that helped us all refocus on the main goal of 4-H, which is the development of our youth,” says Dagan Montgomery, Sublette County agriculture and natural resources educator.

Calhoun’s nominators also highlight her familiarity with Sublette County. As someone who has resided in Sublette County for over 20 years, her local connections have helped other Sublette County Extension employees reach out to community members and fulfill job responsibilities within the county.

Johnson County office manager named UW Extension Administrative Professional of the Year

Office manager Donna Nelson received UW Extension’s Administrative Professional of the Year award for her welcoming presence and leadership within Johnson County Extension.

An older woman with light skin, blue eyes, and short light brown wavy hair. She is wearing a white button up with abstract line patterns. — Donna Nelson, 2024 Administrative Professional of the Year. Photo by Tanya Engel.

Nelson is a lifelong Johnson County resident and has been a member of the Johnson County Extension team for two decades. As the first point of contact for those entering the Johnson County Extension office, she uses her extensive experience with the local community to welcome others to the county.

“Donna has repeatedly gone out of her way to introduce me to people and helped me draw connections among families and other stakeholders in our community,” says Micah Most, agriculture and natural resources educator in Johnson County.

In addition, Nelson is skilled at organization and administration. She is a key leader within Johnson County 4-H. She helps plan county fair; organizes several fabric, wool and fashion contests within county and state fair; and attends 4-H livestock committee meetings.

“Everyone in Johnson [County] knows that during the county fair, when in doubt—ask Donna,” says Most. If Nelson does not know the answer, nominators agree she will know how to find it.