New director named for MSU Extension District 12, which includes Monroe, Lenawee counties

EAST LANSING – Mary Bohling has been named District 12 director for Michigan State University Extension. District 12 includes Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties.

Bohling has held the position on an interim basis since March 22.

MSU Extension, the community outreach arm of the university, helps Michigan communities, families, individuals and businesses transform and grow through locally based education, a news release said. Bohling works with local governments, nonprofits, school systems and neighborhood groups to help ensure that MSU Extension continues to fulfill this mission in the communities she serves. She mentors Extension staff members in program planning, delivery and evaluation as well as professional development.

She succeeds Matt Shane who was promoted to MSU Extension associate director.

“Filling this position was personal for me,” Shane said. “I spent a long time building relationships with county commissioners, youth-serving organizations and other stakeholders in District 12 during my time there. Mary is a proven leader, and I am confident she will carry on those relationships well and develop more on behalf of MSU Extension.”

Bohling began her career with MSU Extension in 2006 as a Sea Grant educator, working with coastal communities to address environmental issues.

"That’s where she began to see the importance in developing relationships with tribal, federal, state, county and local partners, including county commissioners, legislators, industry and human service," MSU Extension said.

“Working with MSU Extension has been the most rewarding job of my career,” Bohling said. “After 17 years with the organization, I was ready to take on new responsibilities. I was thrilled when the opportunity to serve in an interim role presented itself. Over the past year I have developed a great appreciation for the expansive programming my colleagues do here in southeast Michigan. I relish the opportunity to continuing this work.”

Bohling has undergraduate and graduate degrees in environmental sciences from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Marc Verge, live in Monroe with their two dogs. They have six adult children.

To learn about MSU Extension's programs and offerings, visit extension.msu.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New director named for MSU Extension District 12