Liz Driscoll, an NC State Extension associate who designs agriculture, horticulture and natural resources programs and curriculum for youth, has taken on new leadership responsibilities to help strengthen and modernize Extension’s youth development programming across North Carolina.
Effective Oct. 1, Driscoll stepped into the role of interim assistant director of youth programs for NC State Extension. She will lead curriculum development and updates while strengthening connections between Extension's 4-H and other youth programs and more than 100 experts throughout the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She will help promote collaboration and ensure progress across program areas, supporting the continued delivery of timely, high-quality youth programming statewide.
“Liz brings a strong track record of collaboration, program development and systems-level thinking, which are essential for advancing the goals of the North Carolina 4-H program and supporting our strategic priorities,” NC State Extension Director David Monks said. “She has demonstrated the skills and strengths needed for this role, particularly in coordinating efforts among Extension's specialists, state 4-H staff and county-based agents.”
Driscoll will also head efforts to update curriculum to better reflect contemporary agriculture, emerging technologies and the evolving needs of youth.
“I love connecting people,” she said. “I'm really excited about tapping into the college and university expertise to create resources that benefit the young people of North Carolina and help them find pathways toward careers and opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves."
Driscoll will work alongside current NC State Extension leadership, including interim State 4-H Program Leader Shannon McCollum and others, to build on the program’s strong momentum. Together they aim to fulfill 4-H’s mission of helping young people develop real-world skills that last a lifetime.
“4-H is actively implementing the Beyond Ready initiative, which prepares youth with the skills needed for future success,” Monks said. “The timing is ideal to support all of our youth development programs and strengthen partnerships so our youth programming continues to evolve in a strategic and responsive way.”
Driscoll began her career with NC State Extension in August 2006. For the past 20 years, she has served as a 4-H subject matter specialist in crop and soil science, horticulture, entomology and plant pathology.
As an Extension educator, she specializes in curriculum development, educator training and partnerships that enhance workforce development and agricultural literacy statewide. Her work has focused on experiential programs that inspire curiosity and spark young people's interest in agriculture, horticulture and natural resources.
She is also coordinator for the North Carolina Youth Institute, an annual conference at NC State that encourages youth to conduct agriculture-focused research and offer solutions to food security challenges.
Driscoll previously was a 4-H education coordinator at Michigan State University, where she developed and facilitated garden-based school and family programs that integrated hands-on horticulture, inquiry-based learning and environmental stewardship.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture science from Michigan State.
