WORTH: Extension & Outreach

WORTH Extension & Outreach

We work towards a broader, more engaged UW across the state of Wyoming in outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.

Tourism Extension Specialist and Research Economist

The WORTH Initiative, in partnership with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, hired Wyoming’s first Tourism Extension Specialist. In addition, in partnership with the College of Business’ Center for Business and Economic Analysis, we hired a research economist to support economic impact studies in outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality. See below for details about each position. If you need something specific done, or have questions, please request services here.

Tourism Extension Specialist

The individual in this position works as a representative of the University of Wyoming (UW) extension and WORTH initiative to foster productive relationships with tourism providers, elected officials, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and other stakeholders in Wyoming. Primary duties include but are not limited to:

Develop and lead a tourism community engagement strategy, policies, and processes for the WORTH initiative and Extension.
Implement an appropriate strategy to assess needs of clientele in the program area of tourism.
Train Extension Educators in the 26 offices across the state.
Work within the Community Vitality and Health Program of Extension.
Coordinate and/or implement an applied research program to support the tourism industry. Examples include the publishing of research briefs, needs assessments, and programmatic assessments.
Serve Wyoming, which will include overnight travel, evening, and weekend work.
Assist with the convening of tourism and outdoor recreation summits state-wide.
Support the work of regional Outdoor Recreation collaboratives through the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office to enhance tourism-related initiatives.
Work closely with the Wyoming Office of Tourism on tourism-related initiatives, strategic planning, and community engagement.
Offer opportunities for training in tourism management to undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.

Research Economist

The Research Economist works closely with the Associate Director of the CBEA to undertake economic impact assessments; conduct specialized analyses, studies and projects, including guidance for investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs; and study and disseminate population demographic and workforce measures to support regional development. The Research Economist works with the Associate Director to complete funded research projects.

This position is funded by the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) initiative at the University of Wyoming. To support the WORTH initiative, the senior research economist works closely with stakeholders in the outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality sector, with the goal of deepening Wyoming’s investment in these industries. More specifically, the economist collects data, executes economic impact analysis, and works with stakeholders to encourage economic development in the WORTH industries. The economist works with other faculty, researchers, and the director of WORTH to coordinate efforts in this initiative. The economist also assists with other economic analysis projects in the CBEA. Learn more about our economist here.