The Colorado State University (CSU) Northeast Regional Engagement Center is expanding its staff.

In March, Rebecca May started work as assistant director of the Engagement Center, and Don Schoderbek, is the newest face at the Engagement Center as a regional extension specialist. Schoderbek specializes in range science and serves 32 counties in eastern and southern Colorado.

Schoderbek earned his bachelor’s degree in Range Science from New Mexico State University in 2012 and is now working on his master’s thesis through the University of Alberta, Canada.

He learned of the opening at the Engagement Center through the Society of Range Management.

Schoderbek and his wife, with their 16-month-old son, are living in Sterling.

“We really like it,” he said. “It is a wonderful town; lots of amenities, a great place to start a family.”

Schoderbek will serve as a link between Colorado State University research and livestock producers and the scientific community. His priorities are invasive species, drought and water management, and range monitoring (helping ranchers quantify forage resources).

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” he said.

He also wants to help ensure producers have the most up-to-date management methods available.

Schoderbek can be reached at 970-522-7207, or by e-mail at Donald.schoderbek@colostate.edu.

As the facility’s assistant manager, May does much of the scheduling and management of the office. She also assists manager Karen Torres with projects, and leads projects of her own.

She is originally from Brush where her family farms.

One of the projects is a reception and send-off, for students on their way to CSU.

An ice cream reception will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Fri., July 22. The reception is for first year and transfer students. University representatives will be present to meet with students.