Biography

Dr. Mary P. Andrews is now enjoying retirement and being a “granny”. Officially she is the Director Emeritus of International Extension Programs and Coordinator of Professional Development in Michigan State University Extension. She is a Family Ecologist and Internationalist. She received her BS from Pennsylvania State University and her Master's and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. For over fifteen years she served as Evaluation Specialist with Michigan State University Extension, and for ten years as the Associate Dean for Extension, Research and International Programs with the College of Human Ecology at MSU. In Extension she managed an intensive professional development program called The International Extension Training Program, for experienced extension staff. During her career with MSU she was active on a number of international projects serving in training, technical assistance and evaluation roles. Her areas of interest include program planning and evaluation, women in agriculture, women and families in development, train-the-trainer and participatory development. Dr. Andrews coordinates the semester length Study Abroad Program in India each spring and until this spring, hosted a reverse study abroad experience here in Michigan for Lady Irwin College Students from New Delhi. She has provided leadership to national and international professional groups. She served as the Chair of the International Committee for the Board on Human Sciences, and as President and Program Director for the International Federation of Home Economics-US affiliate. She was on the Board of Directors of the Child Fund International (formerly Christian Children's Fund), an international child welfare organization; of Tiller's International, a research and training organization promoting appropriate technology for development, and currently serves on the board of the International Home Economics Services, Inc., an NGO supporting home economics programming around the world.