Susan R. Harrison

Susan R. Harrison serves as a Principal Agent Associate within the Agriculture & Food Systems unit of the University of Maryland Extension (UME), operating under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR). She concurrently holds the appointment of Executive Director for the LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing leadership in agricultural and natural resource sectors.

Harrison specializes in public issues education and leadership fellowship development, with core expertise in cultivating leadership capacity for agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. She has directed the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program since 1998—a signature UME initiative that trains emerging leaders through experiential learning including multi-day seminars across Maryland and Washington DC, complemented by international study tours. Her work emphasizes practical leadership applications in resource management and community engagement.

Harrison manages comprehensive program operations including curriculum development, evaluation frameworks, and strategic partnerships with volunteers, funders, and fellows. She consistently secures diverse revenue streams through grants, contributions, and fundraising initiatives to sustain the program's two-decade legacy. Beyond professional duties, she maintains active community involvement through farming and civic roles in Talbot County, Maryland, where she resides with her family.