ALTOONA, IA – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Polk County (Polk County Extension) announces the new marketing and office assistant along with two Polk County 4-H summer interns. Wendy Wiggins will assume the full-time role of marketing and office assistant. She will provide officewide support for county programs, clients, and digital marketing efforts. The Polk County 4-H team brought on two summer interns, Beyonce Gonzalez and Mattea Wilson. Both interns will assist the 4-H team by working with youth by conducting various summer programs and camps and supporting staff during the Polk County Fair which will be held July 15-21, 2023.
“All Polk County staff members are essential in ensuring area residents are aware of the education and resources that we, at Extension, offer,” said Paul Gibbins, regional director for ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County. “With the support of Wendy, Beyonce, and Mattea, our office will be better positioned to implement programs and share pertinent information throughout the summer and beyond.”
About Wiggins
Wiggins joins Polk County Extension from Heartland CO-OP in Monroe, Iowa. She has extensive experience in customer service, office coordination and management, and content creation for social media and websites. As the marketing and office assistant for Polk County Extension, Wiggins will support the pesticide recertification and training programs, implement digital marketing and communications strategies, and provide a variety of other office support.
“This position will allow me to marry my love of agriculture, youth and marketing,” said Wiggins. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in an environment that will nurture these passions and develop my skills.”
Wiggins is a graduate from South Dakota State University with degrees in agricultural communication and agricultural leadership. When not working you can find Wiggins traveling, spending time with friends, and helping on her family farm.
About Gonzalez
This will be Gonzalez’s second summer as an intern for Polk County 4-H. She will be a senior at Iowa State University the fall of 2023, studying elementary education with endorsements in reading and science. In her role as a summer 4-H intern Gonzalez will plan, organize, and facilitate lessons to youth and document and report participation. Gonzalez is passionate about sharing her Hispanic culture and is excited to educate others on the importance of diversity. Gonzalez plans to become a future educator outside of Iowa and hopes to work with older elementary children.
“I’m excited to continue working with community to teach them about the impact of 4-H,” Gonzalez stated.
About Wilson
Wilson is a student at Iowa State University and will be graduating in the spring of 2024 in Family Consumer Sciences. At ISU she is a member of the honor’s program and involved in the swing dancing club. As a 4-H intern, Wilson will develop and implement lesson plans for summer programming. In her free time Wilson enjoys spending time outside, hanging out with her cat, baking cookies, and sewing skirts and dresses.
“I have volunteered for various educational programs previously, but I’m looking forward to a new experience working for Polk County 4-H this summer,” said Wilson.
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