Kansas State University

4-H Youth Development hires Volunteer Development Specialist Shane Potter

Submitted by Jason Hackett and Wade Weber

On Feb. 5, 2018, Shane Potter will join the Kansas State University 4-H Youth Development program as the new volunteer development specialist.

Potter earned bachelor's degrees in agribusiness and agricultural economics as well as a master's in leadership education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is currently working to finish his doctorate in human sciences, which he will complete in 2018.

With more than 10 years of 4-H experience, Potter brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge and experience to the position. Having a strong background in partnership development, he has worked on the creation of national curriculum programs such as Health Rocks, as well as initiatives in the areas of career development and agricultural sciences. As a national coach for Child Youth and Families at Risk, he also has provided leadership and training to extension systems around the country in the area of program development, sustainability and evaluation.

"Shane will bring a vibrancy and a dynamic, audience-oriented approach to the Kansas 4-H Volunteer Development program," said Wade Weber, Kansas State 4-H Youth Development program leader. "He has a record of accomplishment in equipping new volunteers and growing programs. Developing and growing the capacity of adult stakeholders at the local level is mission critical for 4-H Youth Development programs to be successful. Adults working in partnership with youth developing life skills that benefit the local community through project-based learning and service are essential to the 4- H learning experience."

Potter said he is excited to join the K-State 4-H team.

"Having worked in neighboring states and engaged with colleagues from the Kansas 4-H system over the years, I am impressed by the quality of programming they have produced," he said. "I was also drawn to the position because it would give me an opportunity to work with a leader, Wade Weber, who expresses a clear vision of how to create an exemplary, positive youth-development program for the state of Kansas."

As the statewide leader for volunteer development, Potter said he sees his role as an educator and facilitator aimed at creating the resources, experiences and connections volunteers need to engage youth in the 4-H program successfully.

"I love working in extension," he said. "The opportunity to take the best practices created through research at the university and translate them into usable programming, which volunteers and staff can apply to make the lives of youth better, is truly rewarding."

Potter said he looks forward to learning about the hopes and aspirations of 4-H youth across Kansas and then working with caring adults to help them turn their goals into reality. To learn more about Kansas 4-H, visit ksre.k-state.edu/4h-youth/.