The University of Wyoming is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Helie as the new associate director of UW Extension, where he will provide leadership for the 4-H Youth Development program. As one of two associate directors, Helie will oversee 4-H educators statewide and guide the team at the Wyoming State 4-H Office.

“Through the interview process, it became clear that Dr. Helie invests in people and has valued relationships through his career,” says Mandy Marney, director of UW Extension. “His administrative experience, combined with experience building relationships with stakeholders in a variety of settings, will be helpful in his new role as associate director.”

Helie received a bachelor’s in dietetics from the University of Connecticut in 2015. In 2017, he achieved his master’s in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He earned his doctorate in nutrition from Louisiana State University in 2022. His research required working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including rural communities.

Helie most recently served as director of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) programming and evaluation at Louisiana State University (LSU). In this role, Helie managed more than 30 staff members, oversaw reporting and budgeting, and analyzed data to ensure that the program was benefiting Louisiana residents. During his time at LSU, he also collaborated with 4-H Healthy Living programs throughout the state, providing support to SNAP-Ed educators and 4-H educators.

“I’m very excited to get out to visit county offices and get to know the state and all of the great people in 4-H and extension,” says Helie. “I can’t wait to go visit with everyone in person to hear about their priorities for their counties and how we can support them at the state level.”

Helie started his new role with UW Extension today, Tuesday, Oct. 15. He can be contacted at (307) 766-5124 or mgreen35@uwyo.edu.