About Us

photograph of Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., R.N.Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., R.N.
Extension Program Leader – Family Development and Resource Management
Professor and Extension Health Specialist
Regents Fellow

Carol Rice is a Professor and Extension Health Specialist. Her specialty is community health and wellness education. Working with a team of Extension educators, she developed a physical activity program, Walk Across Texas. This eight-week program, now implemented yearly in over 100 Texas counties with leadership from county Extension educators, helps Texans significantly increase their level of physical activity. She has also worked with Mary Bielamowicz, Ph.D., a registered dietitian, to develop a diabetes education program, Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes. This 9-topic, 5-session program is now being implemented in over 70 Texas counties. County Extension educators team with local health care providers to deliver the 5 sessions aimed at helping people with type 2 diabetes learn the necessary skills to manage their disease. Both programs include an extensive training program for Extension educators and on-line data collection to assess outcomes.

Dr. Rice’s past experience includes a variety of clinical positions with a community focus and 21 years teaching undergraduate and graduate nursing at several schools within the University of Texas System.

Since coming to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in 1995, she has worked to support and extend health education conducted by county Extension agents. She serves as project director for Early Detection and Cancer Awareness for Rural Texans and Reducing Tobacco Use by Youth in Rural Communities.

Dr. Rice received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin. She has a Master’s Degree from the University of California at San Francisco and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. All of her degrees are in nursing.

photograph of Janet M. Pollard, M.P.H.Janet M. Pollard, M.P.H.
Extension Associate, Health

Janet Pollard is an Extension Associate with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, working in the areas of health promotion and health education for over 12 years. Her primary areas of interest have been in immunizations, maternal and child health, fitness (particularly among the older adult population), and the National Network for Health (connecting Extension health professionals with web-based health resources, as well as face-to-face across the nation). Currently, Janet’s primary focus is to manage the delivery of self study and continuing education opportunities for agents on current health topics through research and development of the monthly HealthHints newsletter. The newsletter informs county Extension agents of current health issues, as well as providing programming ideas.

Janet’s educational background includes a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas–Houston Health Science Center, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and a Writing Specialization, also from Texas A&M University. Janet has been awarded the Superior Service Award and been given award recognition for her work with the Shots across Texas Immunization Campaign during her service with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Alice Kirk, M.P.H.
Extension Program Specialist, Child Health and Wellness

Alice Kirk joined the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s Family Development and Resource Management (FDRM) unit in September 2005. Alice, a former 4-H’er, began her professional career with Texas Extension in 1998 as a Better Living for Texans (BLT) Assistant in Brazos County where she did outstanding work with the Puente de Salud/Bridge to Health program. Prior to joining FDRM, Alice served five years in the Food and Nutrition unit as the state program coordinator for the BLT, Food Stamp Nutrition Education program.

Alice’s educational background includes a B.S. degree in Health from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Health, from the School of Rural Public Health, The Texas A&M University System.

As the new Child Health and Wellness Specialist, Alice focuses much of her effort in the areas of childhood overweight and increasing physical activity among children and their families. She is also one of the primary contacts and supporters of the Walk Across Texas program. Alice has a strong community education background and is collaborating with other specialists, agents, schools, and state agencies to support the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s strategic plan to address childhood overweight and increase physical activity among youth.

Alice is a member of the Society for Nutrition Education (SNE); American Public Health Association (APHA); and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

[back to top]

Last updated: 26 July, 2010

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.