The university of guam (UOG) is the westernmost land grant university in the land grant system and the only 4-year public institution of higher education in guam

Per the mission of UOG, the university serves not only guam but also the region of the U. S. Affiliated western pacific (2.2 million square miles). These island nations are under the protection of the united states and have two-year colleges that also have land grant status. We excel in addressing community needs within a tropical island context across a range of domains that include: 4H and youth, food and nutrition, commercial and subsistence agriculture, community development and environmental and life sciences. Our mission is strategically aligned with UOG's mission of responsiveness to the specific needs of guam and other western pacific island communities, thereby contributing to their economic growth and stability. The university of guam cooperative extension service (UOG-CES) engages the university community in addressing identified local needs through a multi-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary educational teams' approach to address the complex issues facing the people of guam. UOG-CES works to increase its collaborations with government (federal and local) agencies, private entities, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and island residents. UOG-CES through these collaborations leverages IT fiscal and human resource to address pression issues and increase program impacts in guam and the region. This approach is vital in guam's interdependent culture and has proven to be one of the strengths in ensuring effective, relevant and timely education programs. These partnerships have supported the mission of extending research-based information through multiple education venues to engage individuals, families, youth, and communities. UOG CES connects to the citizens through various engagement processes, not only in the education arena but also in advisory roles and formal needs assessment processes to gather local and regional perspectives on needs, concerns, issues, and emerging trends. This approach represents an engaged effort to offer research-based, unbiased information for daily application in the: use and protection of urban and rural natural resources and environments, identifying food security issues and strategies on the individual/family and island level, youth leadership development and strengthening support networks for families, and community and economic sector(S) enhancement. With the geographic position of guam, the responsibility for agricultural, food, social, economic, environmental, and policy research and application have the potential for regional, national, and international implications that directly affect day-to-day living in guam.