Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services (NMC-CREES) is proud to announce that NMC-CREES Family, Community, and Youth Development Program Extension Agent Robert “Robbie” Camacho Suzuki, Jr. has been selected as a Champion in the 4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) Champion Regional Network. This highly competitive program is composed of two 4-H professionals from land-grant universities across five Extension Regions.
Champions are chosen through a rigorous application process and are tasked with advancing the understanding and use of the 4-H Thriving Model, which serves as the theory of positive youth development in 4-H. The Regional 4-H PYD Champion Network focuses on capacity building for 4-H professionals and volunteers, with a special emphasis on promoting a consistent, correct, and complete understanding of positive youth development.
"I am honored to have been selected as a Champion in the 4-H Positive Youth Development Champion Regional Network," Suzuki said. "It is a privilege to be the first person from our island chain to serve in this role, and I am grateful for the opportunity to enhance and elevate the capacity of youth development professionals and volunteers in the CNMI and the region."
Suzuki and his fellow Champions will work together to translate the science of youth development into 4-H practice, increase 4-H professional and volunteer capacity, and collaborate with Extension regions to identify PYD strengths and needs. They will also develop materials and resources to support PYD capacity building with 4-H professionals and volunteers.
“Robbie has spent a significant amount of time and energy creating youth-led youth development opportunities for our CNMI youth. We look forward to seeing him further catalyze positive youth development throughout the region and nation,” CREES Interim Dean Patricia Coleman said.
"The entire College community takes great pride in Robbie's exceptional accomplishment," NMC President Galvin Deleon Guerrero, EdD said. "We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as he takes on his new role within the PYD regional network."
Suzuki joins a team of highly accomplished professionals, led by Dr. Mary Arnold, the lead researcher in the 4-H Thriving Model. Prior to joining 4-H, Suzuki struggled to find opportunities for growth, but he found his passion for youth development when he entered the 4-H program. He went on to earn an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts at Northern Marianas College before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and after graduation, he returned to the CNMI to help guide the youth of his community.
"I want to express my deepest appreciation to my NMC-CREES team and all of the 4-H Marianas leaders and volunteers past and present for their immense support and dedication to youth development in our islands," Suzuki said. "Their hard work and commitment have been instrumental in helping me achieve this new role. I look forward to continuing to work together to empower and inspire the youth of our region."
For more information about the NMC-CREES and the 4-H program, visit crees.marianas.edu or contact NMC-CREES FCYD State Program Leader Tayna Belyeu-Camacho at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
