Extension experience and enthusiasm are what got the new ISU Cooperative Extension Service associate vice provost the job.

Michael Ouart took over his new position on September 1.

“Ouart interviewed very well and made a strong impression upon the interviewing board,” said Vice Provost for Extension Stanley Johnson. “He brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and has a very positive attitude.”

ISU Extension is an agriculturally-based program that partners with individual counties in the state of Iowa to provide information and distance education.

One credential that made Ouart stand out from other interviewing candidates was the fact he has worked with extension before, Johnson said.

Prior to coming to Iowa State, Ouart was an assistant director as well as state program leader for agriculture and natural resources with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Ouart’s other extension experience includes previous posts in Kansas, Colorado and Florida.

“Extension is a significant component for Iowa State University and [it] has a lot going for it,” Ouart said. “It is a very important catalyst for economic development in the state of Iowa.”

Johnson said Ouart was also hired because of his knowledgeable and refreshingly new approach to the recent dilemma stemming from budget cuts.

The state budget for ISU Extension for the 2002 fiscal year was $73.3 million, which was down around 24 percent from where it was over the past three years. “We’ve been able to allocate funds from both private and government, local and state, sources,” Ouart said.

Johnson said Ouart understands the changes ISU Extension has dealt with and is currently coping with.

“He’s had some interesting ideas budget wise, including such things as fees, grants, contracts and partnerships,” Johnson said.