The MOU formalizes a decades-long handshake agreement encouraging 4-H professionals in each county to help students interested in attending MSU to find pathways to the admissions process.
“4-H is a nationwide program geared toward teaching young people life skills and helping them look into opportunities after high school,” said Quentin Tyler, director of MSU Extension. “Our 4-H program coordinators in each county really get to know our youth and their families. They are best equipped to see potential career opportunities and guide young people in the appropriate direction.”
Dave Weatherspoon, vice provost of enrollment and academic strategic planning, said the collaboration exemplified the power of shared vision and innovative thinking.
“MSU Extension has a vast infrastructure and deep connections in communities and with families,” he said. “Our MSU admissions counselors have created a robust pipeline with K-12 schools, ensuring we reach prospective students early and provide them with clear pathways to success. There is tremendous value in uniting these strategies to create new opportunities for students to explore precollege experience and access postsecondary education.”
Currently, there are more than a dozen precollege events on the MSU campus annually that introduce 4-H’ers to educational and career opportunities and many more take place throughout the state. Overnight opportunities like 4-H Exploration Days, Capitol Experience and Animal and Vet Science Camp give young people a taste of what it’s like to live on campus and attend classes while meeting new people.
Jodi Schulz, co-director of MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Institute and state leader for Michigan 4-H, believes the opportunities for this partnership not only strengthen relationships with MSU, but also help students set goals for the future.
“I’m a proud MSU alum, and I speak passionately and positively about my experiences here,” Schulz said. “I also recognize that MSU — or college in general — may not be the right path for everyone. Giving young people these experiences earlier in life helps them learn what they need to find the career that is right for them, and now they have a whole team of people helping them reach their goals.”
Learn more about Michigan 4-H or contact your county MSU Extension office for more information. You can also visit the MSU Office of Admissions website to learn more about the university and the application process.