News

New 4-H Youth Development Assistant Director

Cathy Sutphin has been named assistant director of 4-H Youth Development for Virginia Cooperative Extension. In this new role, she will assist the 4-H associate director in providing leadership to the statewide program and will give primary leadership to volunteer development efforts. She will also lead the 4-H charter system, work with 4-H agents on administrative issues, and assist with leadership development programs.

“I am very pleased to have Cathy on our staff. Not only does she have several years experience as a 4-H agent, she also brings state-level experience to her new role,” says Robert Ray Meadows, associate director for 4-H Youth Development. “Cathy’s experience and knowledge of the 4-H program will help strengthen state support for the 4-H field faculty and staff.”

Sutphin holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science, and a master’s and Ph.D. in career and technical education, all from Virginia Tech. For the past two years she was the human resources director for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Prior to that, she served as the volunteer development specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension. The first 15 years of her career were spent as a 4-H agent; first in Wythe County and then in Pulaski County.

Sutphin looks forward to helping the 4-H program develop strategic partnerships with university faculty to help build on its strong foundation of youth development. “4-H is my passion,” she says. “I grew up in 4-H, and 4-H changed my life. My goal is to help 4-H make those same positive changes in other children’s lives.”