Quentin Tyler, PhD
MSU Extension
Director
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Telephone: 517-884-7006
446 W. Circle Drive, Room 102
East Lansing, MI 48824
Quentin Tyler has been the director of MSU Extension since June 1, 2021. He is charged with helping the organization’s administrative leadership team set priorities and help direct the work of more than 600 colleagues throughout the state that serve the needs of Michigan’s communities. They hope to help Michigan thrive by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower children to dream of a successful future.
Tyler began his career in Extension at age 18 when he interned as an agricultural agent in Christian County, Kentucky. He went on to serve Kentucky in both 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences. After gaining some experience in farm financial management and consulting with the Bluegrass Farm Analysis Group, he headed back to Kentucky Cooperative Extension where he was charged with recruitment, retention and human resources problem solving.
As assistant dean at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Tyler led civil rights’ reviews of in all of Kentucky’s 120 counties. In addition, he headed up a structure review of Kentucky Cooperative Extension that led to a new organizational structure that addresses contemporary issues impacting local communities.
Tyler joined the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources team as associate dean and director of diversity, equity and inclusion in 2018. A year later, he added an interim role as associate dean for faculty affairs and administration.
Tyler was recognized in Workforce Magazine for his role in increasing the diversity of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service, and served on Kentucky’s Urban Extension Task Force. Shortly after joining MSU, he was awarded the Excellence in Diversity ‘Individual-Emerging’ award. He is also the advisory board chair for the national collegiate organization Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
Tyler earned bachelor and master’s degrees in agricultural economics and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Kentucky. He holds a diversity and inclusion professional certificates from Cornell and the University of South Florida.