Alumnus Reflects on Unique Career with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Tyrone Smith’s career has taken him from Alabama A&M University’s classrooms to leadership roles in Extension programs across the state and beyond. Now serving as assistant director for agriculture and natural resources at Tuskegee University Extension, he recently shared his unique experiences with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Smith’s career spans all three of Alabama’s land-grant institutions: Alabama A&M, Auburn, and Tuskegee.
Smith credits Alabama A&M for laying the foundation for his career. A key influence was the Extension Methods class taught by former Extension specialist Dr. Dony Gapasin. “That class showed us the relevance of Cooperative Extension,” Smith said, explaining how Extension connects universities with communities through practical research.
It was during that course that Smith realized his passion for working with people and translating research into real-world applications. He became an agent assistant with the 1890 Cooperative Extension Program at Alabama A&M, where he implemented agriculture and youth development programs in Madison and Jackson Counties. Smith emphasized the importance of research-based advice. “We were the bridge between the University and the people, ensuring solutions were backed by science.”
Smith was working for Alabama Extension when Knight v. Alabama first took effect. The historical case is more commonly known as the Alabama Higher Education Desegregation Lawsuit. This lawsuit was responsible for unifying Cooperative Extension programs at Alabama A&M and Auburn University into the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, with Tuskegee cooperating.
