California 4-H State Ambassadors

Applications for 2022-2023 State Ambassadors are now closed

The 4-H State Ambassador position is one of the highest service opportunities and recognition attainable in the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program.

2021-2022 State Ambassadors

Addison Holbrook, Imperial County
Eve Dowdell, Stanislaus County
Mansi Khare, Alameda County
Megna Nayar, Santa Clara County
Sara Tibbetts, El Dorado County
Serafina Martinez, Orange County

Being part of the California 4-H State Ambassador Program is a working honor that provides these special 4-H members expanded opportunities to serve and promote the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program.

Advisors: Cole Breck, Ray Willingham, Maura Sparrevohn

Our Advisors are adult volunteers who work in a youth-adult partnership with the State Ambassadors to develop their educational platform and workshops. They help the State Ambassadors develop vital skills in facilitation, communication and goal setting so they can experience a successful State Ambassador term.

California 4-H Ambassador Coordinator

Jenna Colburn is the main contact for the California 4-H State Ambassador program. She oversees the development of the team throughout the year and manages the travel, communications and schedules for State Ambassador programming. Many of the State Ambassadors who have served with Jenna continue serving in 4-H as volunteers statewide and nationally:

For questions about the State Ambassador program, please contact Jenna at jcolburn@ucanr.edu or 530-750-1336

Service Learning Platform

Every year, the Ambassadors choose a platform to focus on for the year.

2021-2022 State Ambassador Platform

Living Your 4-H Legacy

Through their educational platform, the State Ambassadors will facilitate youth to shape their own impact. Youth will grow and give within their 4-H experience. By cultivating mentorships, learning what it means to be a member of a thriving community, and continuing their personal growth, youth will begin to live their 4-H legacy.

Zoom photo of 2021-2022 State Ambassadors

State Ambassadors support and represent California 4-H in the following ways:

Advocating

This year the Ambassadors will have many opportunities to advocate for California 4-H, including fundraising activities like #GivingTuesday and National 4-H Week Spirit Day. They also provide the youth perspective on various state level activities.

Planning

State Leadership Conference – The State Ambassadors work with The Planning Team to help with all aspects of this statewide conference. The State Ambassadors also plan some of the educational workshops and assemblies with a focus on their Service Learning Platform theme.

Promoting

The State Ambassadors are often invited to make presentations and represent 4-H at various partner events and meetings, such as the Farm Bureau and the Afterschool Alliance. See the list of State Ambassador Workshops that you can request for your event or meeting.

Teaching

The California 4-H Ambassadors lead interactive workshops at state, national, and Area events. See the list of State Ambassador Workshops.

Mentoring

As state leaders, the California 4-H Ambassadors encourage leadership growth by supporting and participating in events such as the State Leadership Conference and the Area Youth Summits. This year, they are leading virtual workshops for County Ambassadors based on the County Ambassador handbook.

Advising

The State Advisory Committees have California 4-H Ambassadors serving as a committee member or task force member so they can make recommendations from the youth perspective.