Ohio State University Extension has announced that Meagan Hoffman, PhD, will serve as the next assistant director, 4-H Youth Development, and state 4-H leader for Ohio 4-H beginning July 1, 2026, pending approval by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees. Hoffman’s appointment follows a national search and marks an exciting new chapter for Ohio 4-H programming across the state.
As assistant director and state 4-H leader, Hoffman will provide organizational, cross-disciplinary, and creative leadership for Ohio 4-H youth development programming. Ohio 4-H currently reaches more than 196,000 youth statewide and works alongside more than 12,400 adult volunteers each year to provide meaningful learning opportunities through clubs, projects, camps, leadership experiences, and community service programs.
In her new role, Hoffman will help guide Ohio 4-H’s strategic direction while strengthening collaboration among faculty, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders across the state. She will work closely with Ohio State University Extension professionals, CFAES administration, county commissioners, fair boards, and local partners to continue building strong, innovative youth development programs in all 88 Ohio counties.
Hoffman will also ensure Ohio 4-H programming remains grounded in evidence-informed youth development practices while supporting national 4-H initiatives that advance the mission of the 4-H movement. In addition to overseeing statewide programming efforts, her responsibilities will include financial and operational oversight of the state 4-H office and the Ohio 4-H Foundation.
Before joining Ohio State University Extension, Hoffman served as an associate professor and Extension 4-H youth development specialist with North Dakota State University Extension. During her time there, she focused on leadership development, workforce readiness, and innovative youth programming opportunities. Prior to her work in North Dakota, Hoffman served as a county 4-H youth agent in Mississippi, where she gained valuable experience working directly with youth, families, volunteers, and local communities.
Hoffman brings an extensive educational background and commitment to agricultural and youth education. She earned her doctoral degree in agricultural education with a focus on agricultural leadership from Oklahoma State University in 2016. She also holds a master’s degree in agricultural and Extension education and a bachelor’s degree in human sciences with a concentration in human development and family studies from Mississippi State University.
Most recently, Hoffman was recognized with the North Central Regional Visionary Leadership Award at the 2025 Epsilon Sigma Phi Conference. She has also served as the inaugural Kirkeide Fellow with North Dakota State University Extension since January 2025, where her work centered on career readiness and workforce development opportunities for youth across the state.
Ohio 4-H is the youth development program of the nation’s land-grant university system, empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. Through hands-on learning experiences, leadership opportunities, community involvement, and educational programming, Ohio 4-H helps young people build confidence, develop life skills, and explore future career pathways.
As Hoffman prepares to step into her new leadership role, Ohio 4-H looks forward to the experience, vision, and passion she will bring to the program. Please join Ohio State University Extension in welcoming Meagan Hoffman, her husband Travis, and their son Briggs, to Ohio as they begin this exciting new journey with Ohio 4-H.