Carissa Davis

Carissa Davis serves as the 4-H Youth Development Educator for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties. In this role, she provides leadership for 4-H clubs, specialty groups, and statewide youth education initiatives that help young people build leadership, citizenship, and life skills.

A native of Woodford County and a 10-year 4-H alum, Davis holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Western Illinois University and a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership from the University of Minnesota. She brings over eighteen years of experience in 4-H youth development, including roles as a 4-H AmeriCorps staff member in Rock Island County, a 4-H Program Coordinator with the University of Minnesota, and currently as the 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension.

Davis is an active member of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) and the Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education (IEPYE). Her professional honors include the Achievement in Service Award (2012), the Distinguished Service Award (2016), and the Meritorious Service Award (2025).

Working with program coordinators, volunteers, and community partners, Davis plans and evaluates high-quality youth development opportunities for youth ages 5–18. Her focus areas include expanding 4-H programs to new audiences, teen leadership development, school enrichment, volunteer support, community partnerships, and club program management. She is also a certified Trauma-Informed Approach: Key Assumptions and Principles facilitator and a Real Colors Personality Assessment facilitator.