Announcement by Laura Lawson, SEBS executive dean and NJAES executive director
Matthew Newman.
I am happy to share the news that Matthew Newman, 4-H agent in Monmouth County since 2016, and County Extension Department Head in the county office since 2019, will serve as chair of the Department of 4-H Youth Development, starting July 1, 2025.
Matthew succeeds Rachel Lyons who served as chair of the department for the past 12 years. as chair for four terms. I want to take this opportunity to thank Rachel for her leadership as she heads on a yearlong sabbatical. We all look forward to her return and the new directions in which she will take her extension research, practice and teaching.
Having previously served as 4-H Agent and County Extension Department Head to Monmouth, Matthew brings a local perspective to this state level position. Among Matthew’s priorities in his new role include a greater visibility of 4-H youth programs at Rutgers, as reinforcing the Rutgers connection to youth 4-H programs.
His publications have been featured in the Journal of Extension, and in addition to being nationally recognized by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals, he was awarded a 2023 Presidential Fellowship for Teaching Excellence through Rutgers University as part of the 2022-23 Faculty Year-End Excellence Awards.
