Mitzi Stumpf-Downing, EdD

Bio

Dr. Mitzi Downing is the Assistant State 4-H Program Leader and Extension Assistant Professor at NC State University. Mitzi teaches the Leadership courses in the Agriculture and Human Sciences Department and provides statewide leadership for all 4-H risk management, youth safety compliance, professional development for new 4-H Extension professionals, and career and college preparation programs. Mitzi is an NC Education Policy Fellow and a Faculty Fellow for NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues, focusing on Millennial Engagement: Citizenship and Civic Engagement in the 21st Century. Mitzi has a doctorate in Education, specializing in training and development, from NC State University. Mitzi also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in organizational learning and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from East Carolina University.

Programs and Initiatives

• College and Career Preparation
• 4-H Risk Management
• Youth Safety Compliance
• Professional Development and Leadership Program
• 4-H Online
• State and Federal Reporting

Contributing Websites

• https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/

Primary Teaching Responsibilities

• AEHS 551: Youth and Family Professionals as Leaders

Professional Honors/Offices/Recognitions

• 2026: CALS ALLI Leadership Program
• 2025: NCSU Faculty LEAD Program
• 2024 – 2023: Journal of Extension. Manuscript Editorial Review Committee: Diversity and Inclusion Publications
• 2021: Meritorious Service Award, National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals
• 2016: LEAD 21 Program

Selected Publications

• Stumpf-Downing, M. (2025). Group Enrollment Guide, NC 4-H. Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/4honline_group_enrollment.pdf. 
• Stumpf-Downing, M. (2025). Registering Extension Youth Events For Youth Safety Compliance (Checklist for Programming). Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Events_Checklist_Registering-Extension-Youth-Programs.pdf 
• Stumpf- Downing, M. (2025). North Carolina 4-H Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines and Best Practices for Extension Professionals. Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Standard-Operating_Procedures_NC4H_packet_23.pdf
• Stmpf-Downing, M. (2025). The 4-HOnline Enrollment Process for Extension Professionals who need to create a new Compliance Account. Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Enrollment_New_Comliance-Acc_CI.jpg
• Stumpf-Downing, M. (2025). The 4-HOnline Enrollment Process for Extension Professionals who need to create a new Compliance Account. Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Annual_ReEnrollment_ExistingCI.jpg 
• Stumpf-Downing, M. (2025). Adult volunteer enrollment and re-enrollment in 4-HOnline. Retrieved from: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/4honline_adult_reenroll._2022pdf.pdf?fwd=no
• Jeuck, L. S., Jayaratne, K. S., Stumpf-Downing, M., Edwards, H., & McKee, K. (2023). Critical Competencies of 4-H Camp Staff for Achieving High Performance. The Journal of Extension, 61(2), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.61.02.07
• Blevins, M., Jayaratne, K. S., Bruce, J., Bradley, L., & Stumpf-Downing, M. (2021). County Commissioner Perceptions of Cooperative Extension: Implications for Strengthening the Partnership with County Government. The Journal of Extension, 58(4), Article 22. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol58/iss4/22
• Stumpf-Downing, M., Chilcote, A., Guin, A, & Haywood, A. (2021). NC State and Clemson 4-H STEM Education and Science Literacy: Developing the Next Generation of Scientists CYFAR Sustainable Community Project. NIFA, CYFAR. Washington, DC.

Area(s) of Expertise

College and Career Preparation
Youth Safety Compliance
Professional Development and Leadership Program
State and Federal Reporting