New Director for South Dakota Extension Service
AgBio Communications
Latif Lighari
Latif Lighari has been named director of the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service and associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at South Dakota State University.
“Dr. Lighari brings a strong history of leadership in extension administration, community engagement, team building and entrepreneurship,” said Gary Lemme, dean of the SDSU College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. “We are fortunate to be able to welcome an experienced leader with a strong background in Cooperative Extension at the county, regional, and state level.”
During the past 20 years, Lighari has held positions in Connecticut and Tennessee that include county Extension agent in agriculture and 4-H/Youth Development; regional Extension educator; Extension center coordinator/county Extension director; and district Extension director/administrator. He currently serves as the associate director/associate administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program at Tennessee State University.
“Because of Dr. Lighari’s experiences, he understands how to seek out local input and develop educational programs that serve the needs of citizens,” Lemme said. “I believe he will help make our Extension presence even stronger in South Dakota.”
“SDSU and the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service have an excellent history of good programs and impact on communities,” Lighari said. “I want to build on that.”
“My priorities will be people and programs. I am a strong believer in leadership, teamwork, and service excellence,” he said.
Lighari earned his Ph.D. in agricultural education from the University of Missouri in 1979. He earned a Bachelor of Science in general agriculture from the University of Missouri in 1977, a Master of Science with honors in agricultural Extension from Sindh Agricultural University in Pakistan in 1972, and a Bachelor of Science with honors in agricultural engineering in Pakistan in 1969.
Lighari and his wife, Joyce, have five children.