Melanie Forstrom

Background

About Melanie Forstrom

I serve as CCEUC's Executive Director after many years as the 4-H Youth Development Leader. I'm skilled at walking between academia and community impact. I've initiated and worked in campus-county collaborations and leadership roles at State and National levels and have authored and delivered 4 Cornell Cooperative Extension Innovation grants. Youth development forms my career core. I researched, and modernized our public presentations prep program, and created an 11-state Northeast States Presentation opportunity. I co-developed the 4-H Act for Change teen anti-racism program with peers and Cornell colleagues. Other programs I developed include the Rural Storytelling and Catskill Stream Champions programs. I authored and delivered high-quality state/federally funded projects through Advantage Afterschool, Google, and Tech Wizards programming. Prior to CCE, I co-led public high schools in NYC, worked with unhoused youth in DC, led summer youth employment programs and even worked at the Bronx Zoo where I nurtured a love for animals, conservation efforts and education. I've lived and worked abroad and am tri-lingual in Spanish and French, which has opened countless doors. On my free time I'm immersed in nature, and am a Catskill 35er and Winter 35er. Specialties: Anti-oppression and Belonging work, Meeting Facilitation, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Professional Development, Intercultural Communication