Dianne Christensen, New Mexico State University professor and Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences agent, didn't imagine serving as the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences national president.
"I never aspired to this, to be honest," she said. "I was western region director, and that was enough for me, but the president's council was recruiting, and they approached me about running."
Despite a personal health issue with a large benign brain tumor that required brain surgery, radiation and losing vision in her left eye in 2024, Christensen decided to run for NEAFCS president. The position is a three-year commitment and requires service as president elect, president and past president. Each role includes substantial national leadership responsibilities on behalf of NEAFCS as well as the Joint Council of Extension Professionals board.
In fall 2025, Christensen became the NEAFCS national president, the third from NMSU. Her term as president ends in fall 2026, following the NEAFCS annual session in Knoxville, Tennessee. Previously, NMSU was represented by Rick Griffiths in 2023 and Owaissa Crites-Heimann in 1968.
"When I stepped onto that platform in October, it was so rewarding to have not given up on running for president in the face of the health issues. I think we have personal resilience, but also it really showed me, team resilience. The board was with me through all of the challenges I faced. This context made becoming president especially rewarding," Christensen said.
Christensen credits her mentor, former Bernalillo County Extension FCS Agent and Program Director Cindy Schlenker-Davies, with inspiring her to run for the position.
"A lot of people don't realize what an amazing experience this is to be on a national board," Christensen said. "Getting to see things from a national perspective and hearing from all of the affiliates around the country provides great perspective of family and consumer sciences, where it's been and where it's heading in the years ahead."
"Dianne exemplifies the very best of Extension leadership," College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Associate Dean and Extension Director Jon Boren said. "Her resilience, servant‑leader mindset and deep commitment to building community have had a powerful impact at both the state and national levels. Dianne leads with authenticity and purpose, and her service as NEAFCS national president reflects the strength, compassion and professionalism she brings to everything she does."
As NEAFCS national president, Christensen leads an organization with more than 2,900 members. One of her goals as president is to create a sense of community and belonging among members.
"I feel called to connect with membership and to be available," Christensen said. "These are very uncertain times, especially for a lot of the work that we're doing. I think that personal touch is really important and that members feel heard at the highest level."
Additionally, Christensen is promoting running for the national board.
"In my relatively short 10-year tenure, I'm national president because I had someone really guiding me and showing me what the next steps were," she said. "NEAFCS offers a lot of things that are critical for agents and members to have for career advancement. We're a key provider for awards, professional development and national speaking opportunities, all things expected of us as NMSU faculty."
Extension family life and child development specialist Karim Martinez said she believes Christensen's philosophy of leadership as a servant leader is a significant asset to NEAFCS.
"Having Dianne's voice representing New Mexico at the national level is huge for our state, and I think nationally they are very fortunate to have her," Martinez said. "She is such a kind, genuine and caring person. Having someone with those qualities in a national leadership role will certainly help the organization move forward in positive and innovative ways."
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-extension-agent-leads-professional-organization/s/0d413f80-a2e4-4132-87a5-771205546023
