Susan McCaskill Morgan served in Cooperative Extension as a 4-H Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent, and EFNEP Extension Associate until her retirement. While attending UNC-Greensboro, Susan experienced firsthand how difficult it was to study, cover expenses, work full-time, and raise a family. She admired the high-quality work and exceptional skills of the EFNEP Educators. The main difference between them and Agents was that the educators typically did not hold college degrees. After retiring in 2010, she and her husband, Thomas W. Morgan, established the Susan McCaskill Morgan EFNEP Professional Development Endowment to support and motivate EFNEP educators to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a college or university. The funds from this endowment help EFNEP Educators in the Southeast District continue their education through formal coursework. The scholarship is contingent on available funds, with a minimum award of $500 per year.

This year’s Susan McCaskill Morgan Professional Development Award recipient is Cindy Rivenbark from Pender County. 

Cindy stands out as an educator because of her deep personal and professional dedication. She has firsthand experience managing a family budget and utilizing resources like WIC and local food pantries. This background enhances her work with EFNEP, where she has quickly made a meaningful impact. Her efforts have resulted in partial salary funding, emphasizing the value she adds to the community. Cindy is a proactive, engaged county employee who takes part in various local events and organizations. She also shows a commitment to personal growth, having received the Susan McCaskill Morgan Professional Development Award twice to further her education in nutritional science. Her ongoing studies and commitment to her role not only improve her skills but also motivate her program participants. Cindy's goal to become an FCS Agent and her passion for continuous learning make her a well-deserved candidate for this award.

Congratulations, Cindy!