RENO, Nev. – University of Nevada, Reno Extension has appointed Abbey Pike as Extension county coordinator for Washoe County. She joins a growing team of coordinators dedicated to expanding the reach of Extension programs and streamlining administrative processes across the state.
Pike will collaborate with community members, county offices and Extension colleagues to expand awareness and accessibility of Extension resources and programs for Washoe County residents.
“Abbey’s experience in legislative community work and grassroots advocacy will be a valuable asset as we strive to increase our services and programs,” said Holly Gatzke, Extension northern area director. “We’re very pleased to have her in the Extension family.”
Before joining the University, Pike spent three years as a regional representative for U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, acting as a liaison between the senator’s office and rural communities in northern Nevada. Travelling thousands of miles across the state each year, she shared information on federal grants and community development resources with state and local officials, businesses, labor groups, nonprofits and grassroots organizations. She also attended various state, county and community-based meetings to gather insights on local needs and relay them to the senator’s office, focusing on issues such as infrastructure; agriculture; LGBTQ+ rights; and economic and community development projects.
Through her outreach efforts, Pike also facilitated connections between grassroots organizations and government agencies, helping them secure congressional project funding for critical projects, such as water treatment facilities, infrastructure improvements and facility management. Pike herself grew up in a rural area and participated in Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program as a youth.
“As a former 4-H member who grew up in rural Nevada, I understand how vital developmental resources are for rural communities,” Pike said. “I’m excited to join Extension and continue my passion for civic duty by advocating for the needs of communities that are often distant from key sources of information.”
Pike is also an alum of the University and has advocated for student safety through her work with Every Voice Coalition, an organization focused on addressing campus sexual violence. As a leader in the University of Nevada, Reno student government, she testified in favor of an anti-sexual violence bill, SB347, drafted by the coalition in 2021. Commonly known as Every Voice Nevada Bill, the legislation establishes guidelines to combat sexual violence and support survivors across all higher education institutions in Nevada. Pike was later appointed as state director for the coalition to oversee and support the bill’s implementation in its first year.
Pike holds a bachelor’s degree with triple majors in sociology, political science and criminal justice.
– @UNRExtension –
Photo Cutline: Abbey Pike is an alum of the University of Nevada, Reno, and has been appointed the University’s new Extension coordinator for Washoe County. Photo by Jamie Cole.
Extension is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. For more information on its programs, visit extension.unr.edu.
The University of Nevada, Reno, is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. As a Nevada land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu.
Contact: Claudene Wharton
Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources
University of Nevada, Reno / MS 0405
Reno, Nevada 89557-0404
775-784-7072