Building Runways for Iowa’s Future

I love when things come full circle at Emerge.

For those who may not know, earlier in my career I had the opportunity to work with the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s 4-H Youth Development program. I loved that work, not only because I was able to help elevate the 4-H brand, but because I saw firsthand what can happen when the public and private sectors come together to create solutions for rural and urban communities across our entire state.

There are plenty of stories from those years that I’ll save for another day. But recently, I’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with some of my former 4-H colleagues in a way that feels especially meaningful: helping advance the “outreach” part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

And that has me thinking about what outreach really means.

Thinking Beyond the Boundaries

I have always been one of Iowa State University and Extension’s biggest cheerleaders. At the same time, one reason I eventually chose a different professional path was because public institutions understandably operate within regulations, policies, and funding requirements that can sometimes make it difficult to think as big (or move as quickly) as transformational ideas require.

But transformation has always required people willing to imagine something different.

Think about the roots of the land-grant university system and 4-H itself. When boys’ and girls’ clubs began more than a century ago, the idea was remarkably innovative: teach young people new skills and knowledge, and they could help bring those ideas home to their families and communities.

Youth became catalysts for change.

That same philosophy has tremendous relevance today. The skills may be different, and the career opportunities certainly are, but the idea remains: when we equip young people with knowledge, experiences, and support, AND engage their families alongside them, we can change the trajectory of generations.

Creating Pathways for Youth AND Families

That’s why I was so energized by a recent conversation with Kimberly Greder with Iowa State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

We learned about transformative programming being piloted for the past three years in Crawford and Marshall counties, with elements also being implemented in other Iowa communities. Two initiatives: Pathways for Our Future and 4-H Career Academy, are helping young people explore career opportunities while also engaging their families in understanding what it takes to successfully pursue those pathways.

That family component matters.

There are more career possibilities available to Iowa students than ever before. But simply showing a young person a career option isn’t always enough. For students who may be the first generation in their family to pursue higher education or a particular career path, navigating everything from applications and financial decisions to expectations, terminology, and professional networks can be unfamiliar territory for the entire family.

What if we helped build that support system alongside them?

What if career exploration wasn’t just about introducing a student to a profession, but helping the entire family understand the runway ahead?

That feels a whole lot like the original spirit of 4-H (and Extension) to me.

Building the Runway

I often think about the American Dream and what it means here in America’s heartland. I still believe deeply that it is alive and well in Iowa. But opportunity isn’t simply about telling someone they can succeed. Sometimes it means helping them see a path they didn’t know existed and giving them the tools to begin walking it.

One of my favorite Amelia Earhart quotes captures this beautifully:

“Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off. But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after you.”

That’s what excites me about this work.

Some students already have a runway. Others need help building one. And when universities, Extension professionals, communities, businesses, families and organizations work together, we can put a lot more shovels in the ground.

For me, that’s where this story really comes full circle.

Years ago, I had the privilege of helping tell the story of 4-H and supporting programs that strengthened Iowa’s young people and communities. Today, through Emerge, we have the opportunity to help elevate another innovative approach so that more Iowa counties, families, and young people can benefit from it.

It is an honor to play even a small role in helping these initiatives grow, and in helping the next generation of Iowans build successful careers, strong families, and the quality of life that makes Iowa such a special place to call home.

That’s the kind of outreach worth emerging for.