Coming to college doesn’t mean leaving 4-H behind, N.C. A&T students say. A group of students from departments across campus, working with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T, are finding a way to bring the nation’s largest youth development program with them.

To light the way to the 4-H Alumni Network they hope to build, the dedicated former 4-H members and Cooperative Extension faculty helped turn the campus green during National 4-H Week, Oct. 6-10.

As Deese Clock Tower cast an emerald light across campus, students and faculty dressed up in green and came together on the Carver Hall lawn for a “Glow Party” to show Aggie support for Beyond Ready, a national 4-H initiative that prepares youth across the nation to be “beyond ready’’ for their next steps after high school, including college and careers.

“4-H is the largest youth-serving organization in the country, and we are well positioned to prepare students with life and leadership skills,” said Misty Terry, Ph.D., assistant administrator of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T. “We want to create a space on our campus where (student 4-H alumni) can stay connected to the program and continue to build their networking and leadership skills.”

Freshman Zamaria Kinsey, a mechanical engineering major from Gates County, joined 4-H in elementary school. She was drawn to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) after attending SPACE Camp, a 4-H program in Alabama which taught her about NASA and its missions.

Deese Clock Tower on the N.C. A&T campus goes green during National 4-H Week.

In high school, Kinsey served a year as a National 4-H Tech Changemaker, an ambassador for a national 4-H program which teaches adults in the community how to improve their digital skills.

“I gained a lot of leadership skills (through 4-H),” she said. “I would reach out to companies and tell them about the program, and so I learned networking skills, too.”

Jalynn Greer, a junior studying food and nutritional sciences, started out in 4-H as a volunteer at events and conferences. She then became a collegiate facilitator for the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.

“This experience has been very positive in my college journey,” she said. “4-H has led me to so many opportunities, including making connections with other people and acquiring life skills. My skills have grown throughout college.”

At Carver Hall, 4-H alumni line danced the Wobble, enjoyed chicken wings and chatted with faculty as the sun set. At dusk, with a “3! 2! 1!” countdown, lights came on and the covered patio began to glow – green, in a tribute to nature’s most common color.

“4-H has an initiative called 4-H For Good, and we want to show how these students are making a positive difference,” Terry said. “4-H is for everyone, and can be a real influence, on campus and beyond.”