Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel

Cheryl Burkhart-KrieselExtension Professor

Contact

Panhandle Research and Extension Center
4502 Ave. I
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
308-632-1234
cburkhartkriesel1@unl.edu

Biography

Two themes run through my research and extension program, demographic renewal and economic opportunities. Being located at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, I am keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges that impact rural areas. From my viewpoint, these two issues are the primary drivers impacting the future of many rural communities across Nebraska. My goal is to provide research-based information through a variety of educational opportunities so that stakeholders can make informed decisions linked to these critical issues.

Education

  • Ph.D. 1992, Community and Human Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Emphasis - Community and Human Resources
  • M.S. 1982,  Applied Human Resources, Colorado State University, Emphasis - Consumer Sciences
  • B.S. 1976, Consumer Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Emphasis - Consumer Affairs

Employment Experience

  • Extension Community Vitality Specialist & Extension Professor - University of Nebraska, Lincoln (current)
  • Panhandle Learning Center Coordinator - University of Nebraska, Lincoln
  • Independent Educational Consultant, Gurley, Nebraska
  • Regis University Adjunct Faculty, Denver, Colorado
  • University of Nebraska Extension Agent Chair, Scotts Bluff/Morrill Counties, Bridgeport
  • Kriesel Certified Seed Co-owner/Operator, Gurley, Nebraska (current)
  • North Dakota State University Extension Agent At Large, Dickinson, North Dakota

Current Extension Programming Emphasis


Issue: New Resident Recruitment and Retention
Issue: Strengthening Small Business Profitability
Issue: Providing Communities with Current Data for Robust Community Decisions

Selected Funded Research

  • North Central Region Community Rural Development Center, $ 7,171, October 2016-2017. Workforce Issues: Collaborating to Build Extension’s Capacity. (Multi-state team representing all regions of the U.S.; Co-PI).
  • Rural Futures Institute, $57,073, December, 2013 - 2016. Bridging the Skills Gap: Workforce Development in the Great Plains. (Multi-state team; Co-PI).
  • Rural Futures Institute, $98,079, December, 2012 - 2014. Community Marketing: Taking a New Look at Rural Communities in the Great Plains. (Multi-state team; PI).
  • NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research Extension (SARE) Professional Development, $73,984, 2009 - 2010. Business Feasibility, Marketing and On-line Direct Marketing: In-depth Training to Better Serve Sustainable Agricultural Businesses. UNL Extension Entrepreneurship Work Group Initiative. (Co-PI).
  • USDA National Research Initiative - Rural Development, $498,000, 2008 - 2012. Marketing Rural Communities to Attract and Retain Workers. (Multi-state team; Lead Co-PI).
  • USDA National Research Initiative - Rural Development, $220,000, 2006 - 2008. Relocation to the Buffalo Commons: Using a marketing approach to understand residential decisions among migrants to the Nebraska Panhandle. (PI). 
  • Nebraska Worker Training Program – Nebraska Department of Labor, $19,200, 1998 - 2000. (PI).

Selected Publications

Journals
  • Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Cantrell, R., Narjes, C., Vogt, R., Hodur, N. (2015). Marketing rural communities: A qualitative study on the power of community images. Journal of the Community Development Society, 45(2), 181-194.
  • Nene G., Johnson, B., Cantrell, R., Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Narjes, C., & Vogt, R. (2009). Community recruitment and retention of new residents: A study using a market assessment process. Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy - Rural Development Special Issue. 4(1), 1-27.
  • Cantrell, R., Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Johnson, B., Narjes, C. & Vogt, R. (2008). Moving to the rural Great Plains: Point of origin differences in the decision-making process. Great Plains Research. 18(2), 155-164.
  • Burkhart-Kriesel, C. & Francis, C. (2007). Red carpet service - Linking rural communities to travelers and tourists. Journal of Extension, 45(6), Article 6FEA7. Retrieved January 1, 2008 from http://www.joe.org/joe/2007december/a7.shtml 
Extension publications
  • Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Vogt, R., Cantrell, R. (2013). Using focus groups to understand what new residents want and need in a community. Marketing Hometown America (embedded within the electronic magazine). Retrieved December 1,2013 at: http://em-zmags.unl.edu/mha/FocusGroups.pdf
  • Cantrell, R., Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Vogt, R., Thares, P. (2013). Learning about the local labor market. Marketing Hometown America (embedded as a resource within the electronic magazine). Retrieved December 1, 2013at: http://em-zmags.unl.edu/mha/LaborVacancySurvey.pdf
  • Vogt, R., Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Cantrell, R. (2013). Using surveys to learn the opinions of new residents. Marketing Hometown America (embedded as a resource within the electronic magazine). ). Retrieved December 1, at: http://em-zmags.unl.edu/mha/HouseholdSurvey.pdf
  • Burkhart-Kriesel, C., Cantrell, R., Johnson, B., Narjes, C., Vogt, R. & O’Brien, T. (2010). Tailoring rural community websites to new residents. Extension Circular EC 859. Retrieved February 1, 2010 from http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/ec859/build/ec859.pdf 

Recognition


  • University of Nebraska Gamma Sigma Delta Excellence in Extension, 2015.
  • National Rural Sociological Society Excellence in Extension and Outreach, 2015.
  • National Community Development Society Innovation Award for Marketing Hometown America, 2014.
  • National and North Central Region Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Excellence in Teamwork Award for Marketing Hometown America, 2014.
  • Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Inductee, 2014.
  • National and North Central Region Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Educational Technology Team Award for Red Carpet Service On-Line, 2011.
  • National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science National and North Central Internet Technology Award for Red Carpet Service On-Line: 24/7 Hospitality Training for the Tourism Industry, 2010.