Janice Seitz

4-H Stats:
4-H was an integral part of Jan's life learning life skills through giving talks and demonstrations, decorating booths at the county and state fairs, building 4-H floats, attending 4-H camp, and attending the Ohio State Teen Conference, where she performed as part of a quartet that won the regional talent competition.

Honors:
Jan has received numerous recognitions over the years, including that she was one of six finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year and was named Illinois Master Teacher. She received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, Outstanding Faculty/Administrator Award from the National University Continuing Education Association, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Vocational Education Personnel Development Association, The University of Illinois Mother's Association Bronze Medallion Award; the University of Illinois College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award for significant impact and the University of Illinois Award for Excellence in Extramural Teaching. Jan also has been featured in Fred Dawson's book entitled "Pearls: Women Who Radiate Success." Jan has also always been very dedicated to her community through programs like the Food Bank of Delaware, as a board member & mentor for the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, provided many hands-on handicap awareness programs for 4-H and school programs, created a mentoring program & advisory board for youth not experiencing success in the educational process in the Champaign area and conducted dramatic portrayals of Hellen Keller's teacher, Ann Sullivan, for 4-H and youth audiences statewide.

In 1997, Jan began her role as the Assistant Dean & Director of Illinois 4-H with the University of Illinois Extension. During her tenure, Jan made many impacts on Illinois 4-H and beyond. In providing leadership, direction, and long-range program development for the Illinois 4-H program, enrollment increased from 209,000 to more than 412,000 youth and adult volunteers. Her legacy continues with efforts she initiated, including establishing a student intern program; 4-H Legislative Day at the Capitol; 4-H Day at the University of Illinois; daily state fair programs including the 4-H Makes a Difference Canned Food Drive, and meeting with the governor and other legislators to gain increased funding for 4-H Youth Development, which resulted in the 4-H Youth Development staff increasing from 22 to 94 during her tenure. Upon her departure from Illinois 4-H, the Illinois 4-H Foundation created an endowment in Jan's honor to support the Character education program she so deeply believed in. Jan was a trusted leader and served as the Chair of the North Central 4-H Leaders, chaired the National 4-H Name and Emblem taskforce, co-chaired the National Committee for the 4-H Centennial dinner and 4-H centennial festivities in Washington, DC, and led the team to present the 4-H Centennial Report to the US Speaker of the House, US Secretary of Agriculture and members of Congress. Jan also served two terms on the National

4-H Foundation Board of Directors and provided a keynote and facilitated discussion for the national 4-H science conference. She served on the National Board of Directors for National 4-H Congress for four years. She was elected to represent the North Central region on the National 4-H Youth Development Trust for two terms. 

Jan relocated to Delaware in 2003 to serve as the Associate Dean and Director, Extension Outreach for the University of Delaware. Dr. Doug Crouse stated, "Jan was a spirited and enthusiastic supporter of 4-H Youth Development. She has a tremendous ability to engage with people and advocate for all we do in youth development." Jan again served in various leadership roles, including Chair of the Northeast Extension Directors (NEED), as a delegate to the Council for agriculture research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET), and was appointed to the University of Delaware President's Leadership Council. Jan established two endowments at the University of Delaware for 4-H and Extension. The first endowment was established to support creating an Extension scholars' program to support summer internships and a second endowment to fund grants for Extension staff to develop new and innovative projects that can lead to grant funding.