Dr. Larry Cote today (Sept. 6) announced that he has accepted a new challenge within West Virginia University, where for 10 years he has served as the associate provost for Extension and Public Service and director of the West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

Effective June 30, 2007, Cote will become the founding director of WVU s undergraduate minor in leadership studies. The minor will be offered by the Division of Public Administration in the School of Applied Social Sciences in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

I am excited about the challenge of helping to build a new academic program for WVU ,Cote said.At the same time, Mary Kaymy wifeand I will very much miss the day-to-day close association with Extension educators, partners, volunteers, 4-Hers, families, farmers and community leaders.

This change comes at an opportune time for me and for WVU Extension Service,Cote said.In discussions about the leadership program over the past several months, I became excited about the chance to take on a new challenge within the University. I leave my current role knowing WVU Extension has a strong and creative team of administrators, faculty and staff who are doing incredible work every day, in every West Virginia county, for the people of our state.

The process for beginning a national search to replace Cote will start immediately, said WVU Provost Gerald Lang. Dr. Russell K. Dean, WVU senior associate provost for Academic Affairs, will chair the search committee.

Under Cotes leadership, WVU Extension Service has seen an increase in the number of West Virginia citizens served each year and a four-fold growth in private and grant funds.

Though many statesland-grant universities have had to close offices in their constituent counties, Cote and his leadership team have increased resources for county faculty and staff while successfully maintaining a WVU Extension office in all 55 West Virginia counties.

Cotes emphasis on building partnerships and collaborations at the local, state and national levels has helped to expand the reach and efficiency of WVU Extension agents, specialists and staff. He is also facilitating the construction of the new $6.3 million State Fire Training Academy, which is being built at WVU Jacksons Mill State 4-H Camp, near Weston.

Dr. Cote has provided exemplary service and leadership to our state, our University and our nation,said WVU President David Hardesty.He has been a vocal champion for the service mission, for the citizens of our state, and for the renovation of WVU Jacksons Mill.

During his 35-year career in higher education in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Cote has established lifelong learning programs and fund-raising initiatives. He is recognized as a strong advocate for economic development and public service.

Dr. Cotes demonstrated commitment to higher education and leadership will be a great benefit to the Leadership Studies Program and our students,Lang said.This is an exciting time for this signature program and for Dr. Cote, who can bring many relevant life experiences to the classroom.

Cote has served in leadership roles in numerous state and national initiatives. He is completing his term as chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), an elected committee within the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

Larry Cote has helped to put West Virginia at the forefront of the national Extension system,said Don Floyd, chief executive officer of the National 4-H Council.He has been a passionate advocate for the service mission of our nations land-grant universities.

The WVU Extension Service works with local community leaders, agencies and citizens in all 55 counties to deliver programs in four major areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources; 4-H Youth Development; Families and Health; Community, Economic, and Workforce Development. Some of its high-impact programs include 4-H, Energy Express, Community Educational Outreach Service, Master Gardeners, Beef Quality Assurance, Dining with Diabetes, Family Nutrition Program, Fall Safe and firefighter and first-responder training.