“We want to empower youth to ask questions about their community,” said Reagan Allvin ‘26, a PRYDE Scholar who facilitated these lessons at New Roots. “Because they are experts in their own experience.”

This leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter for this program, built on a strong foundation in research translation, student development, and partnership innovation.

This year, a cohort of nine CHE students graduated from the PRYDE Scholars Program.

“Meeting and hearing directly from these LGBTQ+ youth made it clear to me that they are not simply research participants; they are artists, storytellers, collaborators, knowledge-holders, and resilient members of chosen families.”

Research can, and should, include many kinds of community members who all have something different and valuable to bring to the table.

At its core, 4-H is an explosion of childhood. It honors the joy of youth while attempting to equip kids with real, tangible tools to succeed. And those tools might be shaped like cupcakes or paintbrushes or sewing needles, but they give kids a purpose, something to be proud of.