CCE Announces New Executive Director

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County Board of Directors is proud to welcome Dr. Mandeep Virk-Baker as the association’s new Executive Director.

Dr. Mandeep Virk-Baker brings with her extensive public health research and administration experience and has served high-level state and academic leadership positions. With more than two decades leading work in chronic disease prevention, community nutrition, health promotion, and as a public health scientist trained at the Johns Hopkins University, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ the National Cancer Institute (NCI), she is deeply passionate about improving public health and nutrition and making the world a better place.  

Dr. Virk-Baker has an extensive background in health policy and public health research, has published in several high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and has received numerous awards for her research work. Previously, Dr. Virk-Baker served as the Area Extension Director for Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties at University of Maryland Extension.

Dr. Virk-Baker is thrilled to join the CCE Delaware County team, and is looking forward to working with CCE colleagues, county, state, and federal level stakeholders, and Delaware County residents to continue to improve the lives of our local rural communities. Dr. Virk-Baker lives on a 24-acre family farm in West Oneonta. In her spare time, she likes to explore the beautiful local area, hiking trails, and lakes with her family. She is an excellent “Baker” and enjoys creating new recipes.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Delaware County’s mission is to educate youth, families, farmers, and communities using research-based knowledge for practical application and lifelong learning.