CSU Extension Family and Consumer Science Educator Renita Porter Makes a Difference in the Lives of Her Clients

WILBERFORCE, OH – In celebration of Women’s History Month, Central State University Extension (CSUE) launched a series of articles highlighting the work of the women in Extension who are working hard to serve the community. This week, we are highlighting Renita Porter.

Working as a Central State University Extension Family and Consumer Science Regional Educator, Renita Porter knows she makes a vital difference in the clients she serves throughout southwest Ohio.

“I was facilitating a Diabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEPTM) and I took the blood pressure of one of my participants,” she says. “She shared she had not been feeling well and I took several blood pressure readings --- all were high. I called her husband and she ended up being hospitalized for one week. Fortunately, she recovered and that’s when I knew the work that I do really can make a difference in a person’s life.”

Porter, a Central State University graduate, always wanted to work for her alma mater and was excited when she was hired with CSUE as a field agent in the Columbus area. She now works as an educator throughout multiple counties in southwest Ohio.

She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Central State University (CSU,) as well as undergraduate degrees in business administration, public administration and business administration from DeVry University.

Prior to joining CSU, she worked within account management/managed care with Medco Health Solutions, Inc.; provider relations/contracting and national account manager, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc.; instructional paraprofessional, Zenith Academy; teacher and dean of students’/parent liaison, Young Scholars Prep Program; and career and technical teacher, Focus North High School.

She is a member of the Ohio Joint Council of Extension Professionals and National Association of Family and Consumer Science.

Porter says pride in her work and involvement within her community is personally rewarding for her every day on the job.

“I love having the opportunity to work for my community because I believe that I am the community that I serve,” she says. “I’m so grateful that my job allows me to spend time with people and families to offer education that could change their quality of living. I strive to make a difference and I gain so much satisfaction in helping people make better decisions about their health, families and finances.”

Family and consumer science programs and the extension service are vitally needed, Porter adds, and she encourages young women to consider this as a career path.

“Extension is the job for you if you have a passion to serve your community,” she says. “Working within family and consumer science will allow you to use your critical and creative thinking skills to address issues in families and within communities.”

Porter resides in Columbus and has two children, one of whom currently attends Central State and is majoring in Industrial Technology.

For more information about CSUE Family and Consumer Science, visit CentralState.edu/extension