Originally hailing from Chicago, Luke Dietterle joined the University of Missouri as an Extension Specialist in 2022. As an Extension Specialist with Exceed—housed within the University of Missouri’s Division of Applied Social Sciences—Luke’s research focuses on regional community and economic development, food systems, and applied industry studies. Luke is a regular contributor to the Missouri Economy Indicators brief series and serves as host of the award-winning Show-Me MO Success Podcast—spotlighting stories of Extension programs and the Missourians who find success through them. 

Prior to Extension, Luke spent five years working in state and regional government. With the State of Missouri, Luke performed legislative and budgetary analysis and served on a statewide performance measurement improvement team. At the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission, Luke helped advance development projects including the Columbia Agriculture Park and Ranken Technical College’s Central Missouri campus. At Mid-MO RPC, Luke also managed a $1.5 million revolving loan fund for small businesses—awarding nearly half a million dollars in gap financing to four small businesses. Additionally, Luke served five years as Treasurer for Sustainable Farms & Communities—a non-profit providing matching funds for SNAP and WIC recipients at the Columbia Farmers Market.  

Luke received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri and a MPA from the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. Luke also holds certifications in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from Michigan State University, and Strategic Doing™ from the University of Northern Alabama. When not working, Luke likes hanging with his two dogs, reading, hiking and kayaking, and getting together with friends at the gaming table.