About CCE
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Vanessa Lockel, Executive Director
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Our Executive DirectorCornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) welcomed Vanessa Pino Lockel, of Miller Place, as executive director in September of 2020. Ms. Lockel has worked with Suffolk County and NY State entities for over 20 years, most recently as Director of Government and Community Affairs at the MTA-Long Island Rail Road as part of the Governor’s transition team supporting the consolidation of the MTA. Ms. Lockel’s expertise in community engagement and government relations parallels CCE Suffolk’s mission. She believes in inclusive collaboration, public engagement, transparency and responsiveness in tending to the needs of Suffolk County. |
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About CCE
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) is the local branch of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), a statewide community education agency established in 1917. As part of the U.S. Land-Grant University System, created in 1862 to advance public education and community development, CCE Suffolk operates under the administration of Cornell University, New York’s land-grant institution.
CCE Suffolk is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission, structured in accordance with guidelines set by Cornell University on behalf of the State of New York. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, it is part of the national cooperative extension system—an educational partnership among county, state, and federal governments. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is independently governed by an elected Board of Directors, with oversight from Cornell, ensuring that local, state, and national priorities are met.
Dedicated to addressing Suffolk County’s most pressing challenges, CCE Suffolk collaborates with elected officials at all levels, government agencies, local nonprofits, and community organizations to deliver research-driven solutions. Our team of over 200 educators, specialists, and researchers works across four core program areas: 4-H Youth Development, Community Education, Agriculture, and Marine. Through our affiliation with Cornell University, we leverage world-class expertise, technology, and programming to foster a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Suffolk County.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive and the County Legislature.
Last updated February 4, 2025
