Brian Higginbotham Receives National Recognition for Leadership in Family Life and Health Education

Brian Higginbotham, Utah State University Extension associate vice president and family life specialist, was recently awarded the Jeanne M. Priester Extension Health Leadership Award recognizing exceptional contributions to improving community health through Extension programming.

Named in honor of Jeanne M. Priester, a national leader in Cooperative Extension health initiatives, the top award celebrates professionals who demonstrate innovative approaches, strong community partnerships, and measurable impacts on public well-being. Higginbotham was selected for his leadership across a broad range of health and well-being programs in Utah and beyond.

With a 20-year career dedicated to strengthening families and communities, Higginbotham has transformed how Extension delivers education in parenting, relationships, and personal well-being. His leadership for statewide initiatives, including Utah’s online Divorce and Parenting Education courses and Healthy Relationships Utah programs, has impacted hundreds of thousands of Utahns. He also provides oversight for the Utah Marriage Commission and leads partnerships with agencies including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Workforce Services.

“Brian’s work represents the very best of Extension – research-based, community-driven, and built on trust,” said Robert Stawski, human development and family studies department head at USU. “His programs empower individuals and families to develop stronger, healthier relationships, and his leadership has expanded the reach of Extension nationally and internationally. He has also made innovative use of technology to reach wide audiences.”

Through the Utah Marriage Commission, Higginbotham has co-produced more than 50 online courses and 100 webinars, and the Stronger Marriage podcast has been downloaded more than 125,000 times across 115 countries. His research has produced more than 100 scholarly publications and tools, including the Revised Questionnaire for Couples in Stepfamilies and the Remarriage Belief Inventory, which is now used by clinicians in Japan, Pakistan, Poland, and Portugal.

In addition, Higginbotham’s efforts have been supported by over $45 million in research grants and have earned numerous national awards. Most recently, he received the 2024 Men in Families Research Article Award from the National Council on Family Relations.

Higginbotham has held national leadership roles, including president of the Western Extension Directors Association and chair of the National Awards Committee for Family Life Extension Specialists.

Higginbotham emphasizes collaboration as the foundation of his success.