People with Purpose: Monica Walker

Nearly 300 miles from campus, Monica Walker carries Kansas State University with her every day. As a K-State Extension agent in Ulysses focused on family and community wellness and 4-H programming, Walker turns big ideas into everyday wins in her corner of Kansas — strengthening health, well-being and quality of life for Grant County and across the state.

In this edition of People with Purpose, Walker reflects on how her work is advancing community health and well-being in Southwest Kansas through intentional, research-driven partnerships with K-State.

Q: How does your work fit into the larger strategic plan of the university?

Walker: As part of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, Extension is now elevated to the university level, bringing together our units and the K-State colleges to address critical issues across Kansas. I am excited to draw from K-State expertise to offer more scientific, research-based education and information in my county.

My county has a large Hispanic population, and I recently utilized a grant to provide ELL classes to Hispanic community health workers in Ulysses, so they can help others with limited English proficiency better navigate the health care system, improving health equity. Now, I have meetings scheduled with K-State faculty members who have research expertise in the Spanish language and are interested in exploring potential intersections between their work and our program.

Q: What is your favorite way to serve your profession and community? Why?

Walker: My favorite way to serve my profession is on the New Agent Coaching Team, who mentor and advises new Extension agents during their first year. I am in my third year as a coach, and I love sharing my passion for Extension and what I have learned during my career while helping shape the future of K-State Extension through new agents.

One of the favorite ways I serve my community is as a senior health insurance counselor for Kansas with the Kansas Department of Aging. Throughout the year, I assist those turning 65 with understanding all the parts of Medicare, the steps in enrolling and how to avoid penalties. During the Medicare open enrollment period, I help the older adults in my community compare their prescription drug plans, oftentimes saving them thousands of dollars for the next year. During the last enrollment period, I helped my community save $117,049.13 by switching plans, which is incredibly rewarding.

Q: What challenges are you currently solving through your work?

Walker: In Western Kansas, we are experiencing a large decline in the water levels of the Ogallala Aquifer, a vital part of our agricultural industry and our residents' lives. In response, the Kansas legislature passed a bill requiring our groundwater management district to implement a plan to address this depletion, including restrictions on irrigation pumping. As a trained K-State Extension facilitator, I helped lead a meeting of Groundwater Management District 3 in Ulysses, which included local farmers and producers, resulting in the formation of the Southwest Kansas Water Resource Team.

The team brings together Extension agents and specialists to assess impacts, secure resources, and provide education and technical assistance to support sustainable water use while protecting regional livelihoods. I currently serve as co-chair of the mental health and wellness sub-team and am developing a home water conservation program for Southwest Kansas, with the goal of eventually expanding it to the entire state.

Q: If you had to highlight one time when you felt most successful in your role, what would that be and why?

Walker: This year, I received the Outstanding Extension Agent award at Extension's annual conference. I was overwhelmed with congratulations and gratitude from my community, which made me feel very successful. I'm always working to keep Extension relevant by obtaining additional certifications and learning new, innovative programs to address current issues, which can be time-consuming and often require working many extra hours. That moment made the extra effort well worth it.

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