ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension Professor Susan Jennings has been named the new executive director of the Maine 4-H Foundation and Resource Development Office, effective Oct. 1.

The Maine 4-H Foundation, based at the University of Maine, is dedicated to fundraising to provide financial support for 4-H youth development programming statewide. It manages an endowment of more than $3 million.

Jennings has been a UMaine Extension faculty member since 1988. Based in South Paris, Jennings has led Oxford County 4-H Youth Development programs, including University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. She has been dedicated to building local partnerships with schools, organizations and individuals to expand the reach of 4-H.

In Oxford County, Jennings has led 4-H fund development efforts and has developed a number of model youth development programs, including a 4-H Career and Aspirations program; Area Resources for Kids (ARK), an early enrichment program; Western Maine Afterschool Enrichment programs countywide; and Catalyst and Tech Wizards, a science and technology middle school initiative.

Jennings is a UMaine alumna. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from UMaine and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Maine.