New 4-H educator ready to support youth, teens in western suburbs
Illinois 4-H strives to unlock the potential in every young person, helping them to dream, plan, design, build, and achieve. Around the state, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development staff are guiding the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
In June, Leilah Siegel joined Illinois Extension as a 4-H youth development educator serving DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties in northern Illinois. She will create, provide, and oversee research-based programs for area youth through 4-H clubs and other outreach activities.
"We are excited to welcome Leilah to the team and look forward to the leadership and experience she adds to the tri-county 4-H program," says Extension County Director Deanna Roby-Vorgias. "Her skills and specialties will not only be an asset to our team but will make a positive impact on our youth and communities."
Siegel comes to Illinois 4-H with 17 years of education experience working for institutions such as Harvard Medical School, DePaul University, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of Illinois Extension.
During that time, her work focused on STEM, health, nutrition, and physical fitness education.
"All of these play a role in positive youth development and relate to the four Hs of head, heart, hands, and health," says Siegel. "My goal is to use my background and experiences to help empower young people to be their best selves."
A native of Markham, Ill., Siegel earned a bachelor's degree in cell and molecular biology from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from University of Pennsylvania. She also returned to school to complete her master's degree in human nutrition at University of Illinois Chicago. Currently, she lives in DuPage County. Siegel is based in the Kane County Extension office in St. Charles and can be reached at lmcnabb@illinois.edu or (630) 584-6166.
Extension educators and specialists connect every county in Illinois with university research through in-person and distance-learning programming and other educational outreach. They work to provide businesses, families, and agricultural producers with the practical tools and resources needed to solve problems.
To learn more about 4-H in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties, visit go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
Illinois 4-H empowers and prepares Illinois youth for success. The extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois, affecting the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs, groups and short-term programming.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.