UCCE Welcomes 4-H Advisor Liliana Vega

Featured Story

Liliana Vega, is the new 4-H Youth Development Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension San Diego (UCCE) and UCCE Orange County. Her primary focus is Positive Youth Development (PYD) through JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) lens, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Leadership, and College and Career Readiness Programs for a focus on reaching BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families.

Liliana obtained her bachelor's in Multi-Ethnic and Mexican American Studies from Boise State University and master's in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho. Liliana Vega has over 15 years of experience as a 4-H professional previously serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties for the last 5 years and prior 10 years serving Idaho in Ada and Canyon Counties.

Liliana has experience with forming community partnerships to deliver quality youth development programs with a focus on increasing access for minority, low-income, and underserved audiences. Liliana's expertise is in reaching and culturally adapting programs for the Latinx community and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). Liliana Vega is a qualified administrator for the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory).

Liliana serves on the National 4-H LGBTQ+ and Immigration/Refugee Youth & Community Champion Groups. Liliana chairs the 4-H Statewide JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Advisory Committee and California 4-H True Leaders In Equity Youth Taskforce, the UC ANR Career/College Readiness & Workforce Development Workgroup. Liliana has also served on several other committees such as 4-H STEM and Camp Advisory Committees and the California 4-H Association.

Her goal is to help provide youth-serving professionals with professional development on Positive Youth Development (PYD) and best practices for reaching BIPOC youth and families. Liliana aims to provide research-based resources for youth-serving professionals and community partners. Liliana’s goal is to increase the quality of youth programs in San Diego and Orange Counties while also increasing positive youth development opportunities for all youth.

Liliana is excited to forge new partnerships in San Diego and Orange Counties and collaboratively work to provide youth access to experiential learning youth programs and opportunities for youth to develop life skills, increasing youth-adult partnerships, gain access to college/career awareness and resources, learn to navigate institutional barriers, and helping youth gain the support they need to grow and thrive as individuals.

Registration is open for the 2023/2024 season. Click here for more information.