A team from the University of Minnesota Extension Department of Youth Development traveled to Kenya earlier this program year to build international partnerships and share approaches to Positive Youth Development, according to a May 6 statement. The group was led by Dr. Jennifer Skuza, with educators Kaiya Novacek and Katie Becker, and support from Dr. John Vreyens, former director of global initiatives. Jessica Russo contributed to curriculum development but did not travel.
The initiative aimed to foster teaching, partnership-building, and mutual learning with colleagues working with young people in Kisii County and other regions in Kenya. In collaboration with Kisii University, the team delivered a two-day workshop for faculty and graduate students from the School of Arts and Social Sciences as well as the School of Education.
Forty participants engaged in interactive professional development sessions focused on positive youth development principles, community asset mapping, and social–emotional wellbeing. The team also visited five community-based organizations serving youth in Kisii County and met with directors from Kenya 4-H to discuss future collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Skuza said that three main lessons emerged during their visit: redefining what constitutes ‘youth’ across different contexts; witnessing collaborative learning between faculty and students; and observing effective youth-focused strategies already at work within Kenyan organizations even if not labeled as Positive Youth Development (PYD). “What made this experience truly powerful was its foundation in mutual learning and youth partnership,” Skuza said.
The workshops featured methods such as asset mapping, culturally relevant case studies, participant-led teach-backs where attendees summarized key learnings for their peers, and gallery walks showcasing group findings on written displays around the room. These interactive techniques enabled participants to connect theory directly with real-world applications including student-faculty partnerships or implementing competency-based curricula.
University of Minnesota Extension contributes research-driven strategies statewide through local offices across all counties while offering hands-on learning programs supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture according to the official website.
Skuza said that meetings with Kenya 4-H directors highlighted how national organizations can support children’s education beyond classrooms by equipping them with essential skills for life success.
