Susan Jakes, Ph.D.

Associate State Program Leader, Community and Rural Development
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Research interests: I am interested in how communities and partners, including NC State, co-create change to build economic, social and physical resilience. My work with NC State Extension is focused on how the university can be a good partner in catalyzing, supporting and adding value to this work.

Community partners: This list varies frequently with different projects, but some from this week… NC Agromedicine Institute, NC Farmworkers Health Program through the NCDHHS Office of Rural Health, East Coast Migrant Head Start, NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, Mountain West Partnership, NC Rural Center, A&T State University, NC Grower’s Association, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC Communities, municipalities, local governments, local businesses, non-profits, farmers, farmworkers and their families…

How did you get involved in community work? I graduated college with a bachelors in Psychology. I began work in community mental health with an afterschool program for severely emotionally ill youth. (This is the label they were given in the early 90s.) I was struck by how brilliant and resourceful the youth were in coping with their environments. I saw how a few months in our program provided important support, but changing the context was the only way to create lasting change in their lives. I came to NC State to get a Ph.D. in Community Psychology with Dr. Kwesi Brookins and began to understand how to catalyze the community change processes I had sensed were needed.

What motivates you to engage in community? I want to live in a world where all people can live into their capability and passion while working together to build community resilience and vitality. At my core, I am curious, hopeful and a connector.

What is your favorite NC town to visit? Ha, that depends on the weather. I am drawn to the small quirky places where you can sit outside and watch people passing by. I work for Extension, I would be compelled to name a town in every county. (Which I can’t do.) I have to give a shout out to Durham, where I live, after 15 months at home during COVID-19, I am not tired of sitting on my front porch and watching the passers by.