4-H Illinois Levels Up with New Leadership

By Andi Anderson

Illinois Extension’s 4-H program has entered a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Dr. Kevin Carey as the new assistant dean and program leader for 4-H.

Carey, who grew up in a farming family in Grundy County, Illinois, spent 11 years as a 4-H member during his youth. His journey reflects the spirit of the 4-H mission, which encourages young people to become confident leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference in their communities.

Illinois Extension Associate Dean and Director, Matthew Vann, shared that Carey’s deep commitment to youth empowerment and service-focused leadership makes him well-suited for this role.

The 4-H program believes that investing in young people supports stronger communities and a brighter future for the state.

The Illinois 4-H program is part of the national network supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and university Extension systems. More than 1,800 clubs across Illinois provide learning opportunities for over 20,000 youth each year.

These experiences include agriculture, healthy living, public speaking, financial education, robotics, computer science, and more. Through hands-on learning, 4-H develops skills that help youth grow in confidence, knowledge, and leadership ability.

Carey had been serving as the interim leader since March 2024. Before that, he led statewide positive youth development programs and worked in higher education roles focused on student success at several universities.

He holds degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University, Ball State University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied educational leadership and equity.

Carey shared that he is motivated by the dedication of 4-H youth, volunteers, families, and staff across Illinois. He stated, “Together, we will listen, learn, and grow as we continue to make a lasting impact.” His leadership aims to support strong connections, meaningful learning experiences, and community-focused growth.

With Carey at the helm, Illinois 4-H looks toward continued expansion of opportunities that help youth develop their head, heart, hands, and health for a successful future.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska