Dr. Emma Theuri has a responsibility to carry out the University of Illinois Extension Mission of Helping People Put Knowledge To Work. She develops and markets University of Illinois Extension programs, forms networks with community organizations, agencies and individuals; leverages resources to support programs, evaluates programs for impact, while carrying out fiscal /facility management. Theuri has successfully worked on innovative projects to improve communities.
Theuri has a broad academic and professional experience. She has conducted several research studies including: the statewide study on Welfare to Work for the Department of Social Services; Evaluation of 4-H Youth Programmes to assess impact; and a research study on the Impact of Public Education in the Economic Development of Rural Kenya. Innovative programming designed to develop and diversify Community partnerships has been Theuri's greatest priority and expertise. She was instrumental in the formation of the PEAK program for youth (Promotion Empowerment and Affirmation via Knowledge), based on Dr. Tucker's model of self-empowerment theory. She Co-founded the innovative program "Virtual Communities Real Leaders", a multidisciplinary program for older youth encompassing leadership, computer skills and community development. She also co-founded, and developed the "Youth Futures: College Within Reach", a transformational program sensitizing youth from low-income families to attend college.
Theuri has built many bridges, opened doors for community leaders, public school teachers and general Citizenry by conducting training and workshops in areas of: The Art of Facilitation; Issue Based Public Deliberations; Conflict Management Processes; Outcome Based-Programme Development, Evaluation and Reporting. Her grant writing and program evaluation skills have been key in ensuring funding for innovative programs. Earlier in her career, Theuri Co-founded the Kenya Development Network Consortium (KDNC) a 501(C3) organization that offers professional business development forums, and opportunities for education, and investment. She serves as a board member in several organizations, and has membership to several associations.
Theuri earned graduate degrees: {Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis}, an Education Specialist degree, and a Masters degree, from University of Missouri. Theuri is also a certified Clinical Social Worker II. Prior to joining Cooperative Extension, she worked as a Clinical Social Worker with the Department of Health, focusing on Mental Health for children, youth and adults. Prior to that, she was a research associate, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis. Earlier in her career, Theuri was a National Examiner, and a high school science teacher.
Theuri has travelled internationally in Europe, USA, Canada, Africa and Central America. She has a passion for building bridges across cultures, economic levels, and knowledge base through conferences, and international educational programs. Theuri was instrumental in the development of the program "Internationalizing Extension through Training: The Kenya Study Tour; "Bridging-the-Gap: The Africa You Do Not Know" conference; and "The Africa Retreat" for Extension professionals.
From her international experience, Theuri has demonstrated, and concluded that customised community based international travel and education provide a quick method for transformational experience, offers in-depth opportunities for building bridges, and is one of the fastest methods of broadening an individual's world view.
