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Welcome to the Department
of Youth Development
The mission of the Department of Youth Development is to practice and advance the academic discipline of youth development.
Highlights
Upcoming Meetings
- Department of Youth Development Meeting and Day of Learning
10 am – 3 pm; Friday, December 4, 2009
Ramada Stevens Point
Department members, academic staff and emeritus staff are invited
10 am-12:10 pm Day of Learning
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Professor candidate presentation – Debbie Moellendorf “Changing the Environment to Support Healthier Decisions”
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Associate Professor presentations - Demetrius Brown, Joan Wimme, and John de Montmollin
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12:15-1:00 pm Lunch - Italian Buffet
1-3 pm Department meeting; Agenda and other documents will be posted on the department website http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/department/index.cfm approximately one week prior to the meeting. Print off your own copies of documents.
Pre-registration is required if you are eating lunch. Lunch will be covered for all faculty and academic staff. Mileage is covered for department members. Carpooling is requested to help control costs. Mail a TER to Denise Retzleff after the program. Register for lunch by November 23 by e-mailing Bob Matysik at robert.matysik@ces.uwex.edu
Emeritus staff must pre-register for lunch by November 23. Make your check payable to “Ramada” in the amount of $9.00. Mail the check to Bob Matysik, 4-H and Youth Agent, UW-Extension La Crosse County, 400 4th St. N., La Crosse, WI 54601
Questions? Contact…
Denise Retzleff
Chair, Department of Youth Development
Phone 920-929-3172
denise.retzleff@ces.uwex.edu
- December 4 Meeting Documents
- Chair Updates
- History of the Department of Youth Development
- Emeritus Staff
Election Results - terms starting July 1, 2009 Election Results
2009 Faculty Promotions:
- Professor Barb Barker (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Professor Francis Ginther (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Associate Professor Demetrius Brown (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Associate Professor John de Montmollin (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Associate Professor Joan Wimme (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Jill Jorgensen (Effective January 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Jessie Potterton (Effective June 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Jackie Johnson (Effective July 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Kevin Palmer (Effective October 1, 2009)
New Faculty 2009:
- Instructor Betsy Olson (Effective January 2, 2009)
- Instructor Sarah Tarjeson (Effective February 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Christa Van Treeck (Effective February 1, 2009)
- Assistant Professor Lesly Scott (Effective February 2, 2009)
Abstracts From Recent Faculty Publications:
by Paula Rogers Huff, Associate Professor: Dawn Kuelz, Assistant Professor
ABSTRACT: In a revamping of the successful “Winter Leadership Adventure Camp”, 47 middle-school 4-H youth applied newly acquired leadership skills to mini-capstone projects. The scenario-based projects were used to facilitate the transfer of skills. Eight adult 4-H leaders evaluated the application of leadership skills by youth teams. The majority (93%) of the teams’ ratings of competency assessments was either in the category of Moderate or High Level, indicating that youth were applying their leadership skills to their projects. Even though youth rated their individual knowledge of leadership skills higher than evaluators rated the team’s ability to apply the skills, 4-H volunteers reported that youth knew the skills, but sometimes needed coaching to successfully apply them. View paper
by Judith A Kennedy, Assistant Professor
ABSTRACT: Leadership = Skills development + Opportunity to share skills
This Idea Sheet describes Juneau County’s Fall Youth Forum (FYF), and proposes it as a model for counties’ consideration and adaptation. The FYF replicates a professional development conference with a general session, breakout seminars, and time for social networking. Since first initiating the FYF in 2005, it has transitioned from a way to teach club officer skills and multicultural awareness lessons, into a broader conduit for youth and adults to teach and learn skills about everything from animal health to origami.
In the past, University of Wisconsin Extension Youth Development staff prepared 4-H members to assume leadership and life skills using an array of teaching techniques and delivery models. These educational opportunities for youth and volunteers are frequently planned and led by 4-H Agents, Academic Staff, or Educators during evening and/or weekend hours. Economic challenges within households as well as those of counties and the University must be considered whenever implementing plans. It is imperative to streamline meeting times, transportation costs, and have Youth Development staff work more efficiently for the benefit of stakeholders. View paper
by Charles A. Prissel, Associate Professor
ABSTRACT: “Tobacco contains chemicals that damage the adolescent brain,” states Dr. David Walsh of the University of Minnesota. He reports that studies have shown that nicotine affects the adolescent brain differently than adults; teens are more likely to get addicted to nicotine quicker. In addition, research shows that adolescents are more likely to use tobacco as a springboard to other more powerful drugs; making teen smokers at higher risk for substance abuse (Slotkin, T. 2002).
Community coalitions built around tobacco prevention and education can be effective in reducing youth access to tobacco, educating the public about the harmful effects of tobacco use, and in creating community policies around tobacco control. Youth members on community coalitions can contribute valuable perspectives and play important roles in coalition efforts.
Tobacco access by youth is still a societal issue; although states have laws banning sales of tobacco products to minors, sales are still occurring. Youth partners can play a vital role in reducing tobacco sales to minors and keeping businesses compliant with current laws.
Teens can be effective role models in the schools and communities through peer tobacco mentor groups, helping to educate peers and the public about tobacco and promoting a tobacco free healthy lifestyle.
This paper highlights adult and youth partnerships around tobacco prevention and community coalition building with youth partners. The paper demonstrates that youth and adult partners working together on tobacco issues can reduce the sales of tobacco products to minors, keep business compliant with current laws about tobacco sales, influence policy around tobacco use, and educate schools and communities about healthy tobacco free lifestyles. It documents this effectiveness for 4H faculty and staff, and other youth serving professionals who program in preventative education around tobacco issues in partnering with youth. View paper
by Demetrius Brown, Assistant Professor
ABSTRACT: The African Diaspora Leadership Development program’s aim is to prepare high school students to acquire a global understanding about world politics as it relates to Africa and gain insight in resolving problems faced by many African people around the globe. It is a culturally tailored program designed to increase the pool of cultural competency among disadvantaged students in public education in order to help them succeed academically, and socially. The program fosters greater awareness of a cultural lifestyle in order to increase student’s self-knowledge, confidence and esteem. The purpose is to provide a synthesis for maximizing positive behaviors and offer opportunities to make informed conscious decisions about the construction of one’s realities and experiences. The program engages students in a process of transcending thoughts, emotions and actions so that transformation takes place and a commitment to educational enrichment becomes a reality. View paper
Other Publications
A Suggested Approach for Probationary Faculty
As a result of the Department of Youth Development Planning Process, a draft document entitled A Suggested Approach for Successful Probationary Faculty Members Within the Department of Youth Development has been created. The document stresses understanding scholarship in the context of UW-Extension, taking a serious approach to the work, reflecting on your work and scholarly growth, time management and achieving tenure as one step in the long term commitment and contributions that Faculty make to the profession. The document expands on these keys to long term success and offers a variety of links for probationary Faculty.
Helpful Links for Faculty Members
Youth development draws from a multi-disciplinary research and knowledge base that includes communications, educational program design, youth development, youth program management and volunteerism.
The diversified research and knowledge base provides a foundation to support development of educational prevention programs that address the needs of youth from various racial, ethnic, ability and economic groups. Youth-centered educational programs are implemented by department members in direct contact with youth and by adult and youth volunteers trained to work with youth.
The membership of the Department of Youth Development shall be UW-Extension faculty who profess expertise in the interdisciplinary research and knowledge base of youth development.
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