University of Connecticut

Marc Cournoyer is a 4-H Education Program Coordinator for New London County with UConn Extension, overseeing 4-H youth and volunteer leaders. He also facilitates community outreach and educational programs in the areas of STEM and civic engagement.  He has been with the UConn since 2007.

Marc has several statewide responsibilities including being the 4-H military liaison for Connecticut, state 4-H camp specialist and serving as a lead educator on civic engagement and public speaking.  He has coordinated Connecticut’s Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) delegations since 2009 and oversees the annual 4-H Day at the state Capital each spring.  He also serves nationally as part of the national CWF and Ignite by 4-H design teams, as well as the national 4-H Military Partnership Working Group and the chair of the STEM working group for the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals.

Marc is a certified Ropes and Zipline instructor and in his free time helps to build Ropes courses for youth camps throughout New England. He also regularly created educational video content for the UConn Extension 4-H YouTube channel.

2025 National 4-H Youth in Action Winner 

Kingston Ryals is an inspiring leader who demonstrates the transformative power of perseverance and community involvement through his impact within 4-H. Initially hesitant to join 4-H due to a speech impediment, Kingston overcame his fears and embraced his potential, culminating in a triumphant secondplace finish at the Georgia Cloverleaf Project Achievement. This achievement ignited a passion for public speaking and inspired roles such as the state’s STEM and Civic Engagement speaker, as well as a workshop facilitator at the Georgia State Fair. Kingston’s journey through 4-H not only boosted his confidence but also motivated him to help others, highlighting the profound impact 4-H had on his personal and professional development.

Inspired by the 4-H values and motivated by a desire to address educational disparities, Kingston founded the Rock Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting African American youth in becoming future leaders. As President of the Rock Project, Kingston has grown the organization from a small group of five students to a thriving community of 40 youth, providing mentorship and resources to ensure college and career readiness. The Rock Project boasts a 100% college enrollment rate among its graduates, a testament to Kingston’s commitment to bridging the gap in educational opportunities for African American students. Through initiatives such as campus tours and workshops, Kingston empowers youth to envision and achieve their potential, fostering a new generation of leaders who are ready to make a significant impact in their communities.