Released March 5, 2008

Dr. Henry Brooks, administrator and associate director of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), was honored at an African American History Month ceremony hosted by Governor Martin O’Malley and the Legislative Black Caucus on February 28. Brooks was recognized for his contributions to Maryland agriculture through MCE, a statewide, non-formal education system within Maryland’s two land-grant institutions—the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where Brooks is stationed.

Under Brooks’ leadership and vision, MCE offers a seamless presence through both universities and serves as a national model that should be emulated by all land-grant institutions. He leads his fellow 1890 Extension administrators as the expert on youth development, working diligently to ensure that all discipline areas within MCE provide programs that engage young people.

Brooks began his career as an Extension agent with Auburn University in 1967, after receiving Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degrees from Tuskegee University. He earned a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from The Ohio State University in 1975.

After graduate school Brooks was recruited to Kentucky State University as a state specialist and assistant administrator. He came to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1980 as the Extension administrator and associate director of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.

Brooks holds membership in several professional and social organizations, including the National 4-H Congress Board of Directors, Journal of Extension Board of Directors, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

He is married to the former Carolyn Branch and has four children: Charles, Marcellus, Alexis and Toni.

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http://www.agnr.umd.edu/news/article.cfm?id=7fd35fd50a5a5a8f01ccd159f0e4c4d5

Contact: Pam Townsend, pbt@umd.edu