Ellen Serfustini
Ellen Serfustini joined Utah State University Extension as a Family and Consumer Science Extension agent in Carbon County in 1997. She brought with her a distinguished career in working with youth serving as a home economics teacher at Cyprus High School in Salt Lake City for over ten years. For an additional four years she served as a Title I Aide in both the Granite School District and Carbon County School District in Price. During most of her career she has also been a mom and advisor to youth and adults in her church.
Her career has included constant and consistent skill upgrades including certifications as a Master Preserver, Food Safety Manager, Home Buyer and as a certified Family and Consumer Science Agent. Ellen continues to serve her alma mater of the College of Eastern Utah as an adjunct professor and regularly lectures on volunteering and service opportunities and providing insight into youth and families with promise in sociology and psychology courses. During her career as a FSC agent she has made more than 800 presentations on 4-H youth and leadership development; food safety, storage and preservation, nutrition, diet and health; finance, budgeting and home buyer education and youth and families with promise.
Ellen’s leadership and collaboration with colleagues on assessing community food security demonstrates her on-going and pro-active approach to helping improve the lives of rural families and rural economies in Utah. She regularly writes news columns for newspapers and is a statewide mentor for faculty and professionals who are working with youth and families at risk. She is noted for her work in youth development and has been instrumental in establishing after school programs for youth in Carbon County.
She has been a tireless writer of grants and has obtained contracts and grants funding programs in her community with over $150,000 in financial support. Ellen quietly goes about her good work in serving Utah families and youth with research based programs and is recognized by her peers as a Family and Consumer Science agent of distinction. Epsilon Sigma Phi – IOTA chapter is pleased to recognize Ellen Serfestini for her outstanding efforts as an Extension Agent in awarding her the Mid-Career Award for 2009.