Shannon Horrillo began her new position as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate dean for Extension Families, Youth and Communities on March 11.
She arrived at UF/IFAS from her previous role at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), where she served as the director of the division of nutrition in the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition. As the division director, she provided strategic leadership to a range of food, nutrition and obesity prevention programs, as well as providing leadership and oversight of the division’s grant funding provided to non-profits, non-governmental agencies and universities related to food and nutrition security. Previously, she served as the director of the division of youth and 4-H.
“I have a deep appreciation for the land-grant university system and mission. I graduated from a land-grant university and have worked at land-grant universities most of my career. Service to communities is embedded in who I am as a leader,” Horrillo said. “I am honored to work at the University of Florida and to be part of such an amazing and passionate team at UF/IFAS.”
Andra Johnson, dean for UF/IFAS Extension, said UF/IFAS is excited to have her join their leadership team.
“Every day, family, youth and communities impacts more Floridians than any other Extension program area because it empowers people to lead healthier, happier lives,” he said. “I know that with her extensive experience, vision and drive, Dr. Horrillo will be a transformative leader.”
Before joining USDA-NIFA, Horrillo had a 13-year career of serving in leadership roles within the Cooperative Extension Service. Beginning at the University of California Cooperative Extension as a 4-H Youth Development Advisor in Placer and Nevada counties, she went on to serve as statewide 4-H director from 2015 to 2019.
From 2019 to 2022, she was the associate director of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also provided leadership to Nevada Cooperative Extension as the Interim Associate Dean for Engagement and Director of Extension for five months prior to joining USDA-NIFA.
A first-generation college graduate, Horrillo received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from the University of California, Davis, in child and human development.
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