Michael Wilcox

Biography

Michael D. Wilcox, Jr. is Purdue Extension’s Assistant Director and Program Leader for Health and Human Sciences and Community Development and Associate Director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD). Michael is also a Community and Regional Economics Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics. As Assistant Director and Specialist, Michael furthers the mission of Purdue Extension by fostering innovative, high-impact Extension programs. Specifically, Michael provides motivation, strategy, vision, and coordination for the development and delivery of Health and Human Sciences and Community Development Extension programs that address the diverse needs in Indiana communities and beyond.

As Associate Director, Michael co-leads the NCRCRD’s regional efforts focused on leadership and civic engagement, community resiliency, and health and wellness. He is also a Senior Associate at the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD), leading and supporting Center projects related to regional development and Purdue Extension’s Point of Contact for the Extension Disaster Education Network.

Michael’s Extension and research work integrates the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability into addressing community and regional economic issues, with a focus on entrepreneurship, placemaking, community health, and community capacity building. Michael has been involved in research and Extension projects centered on the marketing of tropical tree crops in western Africa and Latin America and conservation agriculture in southern Africa.

Purdue Extension Community Development – https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/index.html 

Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences – https://extension.purdue.edu/hhs/index.html

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development –  https://ncrcrd.ag.purdue.edu/

Purdue Department of Agricultural Economics – https://ag.purdue.edu/department/agecon/

Extension Disaster Education Network – https://extensiondisaster.net/

Purdue Center for Regional Development – https://pcrd.purdue.edu/

Education

• PhD, 2006, Purdue University - Agricultural Economics
• MS, 1998, Auburn University - Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
• BS, 1992, Cornell University - Biological Sciences

Selected Honors/Awards

• NACDEP National Achievement in Collaboration Award - 2025
• Purdue Cooperative Extension Specialists' Association – Mid-Career Award - 2020
• Purdue University – Corps of Engagement Award - 2017
• NACDEP National Distinguished Service Award - 2015
• University of Tennessee - Lewis H. Dickson Extension Award for Innovative Extension Programming - 2011

Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP)
• National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS)
• Community Development Society (CDS)
• Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA)