Karen Sturdivant has been named as managing associate director of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.
Sturdivant comes to CRFS with experience in higher education, and the nonprofit and public service sectors. Sturdivant served as special program administrator for the government of Fulton County, Georgia. Projects she oversaw include the development of a nature trail and outdoor education centers, funded through a federal Community Development Block Grant.
"Karen brings a range of management experience in the public sector that will be invaluable both within the center and in our development of greater external partnerships," said CRFS director and C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at MSU Mike Hamm.
Sturdivant will fill a newly created position to oversee operations at CRFS. She will manage staff, foster relationships with faculty and staff affiliates within MSU and partners outside the university, participate in developing funding for the center and contribute to the advancement of CRFS’ projects and goals.
"Karen will both contribute to the intellectual climate of the center and assume a wide range of coordinating and managing roles, enabling all of us to use our time more effectively,” said Hamm. “She will help us produce a greater impact on regional food systems in Michigan, the country and the world."
Sturdivant has been recognized repeatedly for her skill in leadership and management. In 2004, she and a coalition received a health equity award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for research and reporting on controlling and eliminating tuberculosis in the African-American community. Sturdivant earned a special commendation from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in 2011 for establishing a program to provide formalwear to homeless teens for prom. She also garnered a programming excellence nomination for her leadership in heightening the visibility of the county’s department of housing and community development through collaborative planning efforts.