Jessica Russo

Extension educator

Jessica is an associate Extension professor with Extension Youth Development. She leads program growth and innovation by building staff capacity to develop local youth programming that builds on community assets and needs. This work includes leading statewide curriculum and resource development.

Jessica is a certified language arts teacher and a naturalist and has worked with youth in public, private and alternative schools, in both formal and nonformal settings across the US since 1997.

Academic degrees and experience

• M.Ed. in youth development leadership from the University of Minnesota with an emphasis on racial reconciliation and experiential education.
• B.A. in education and secondary education from West Virginia University.

Selected publications

Minnaert, B.O., Russo, J.P., Herman, M. (2020). Developing a partnership mindset in Extension 4-H programs. Journal of Human Sciences & Extension, 8(3), 189-198. 

Mitchell-Hawkins, V., Cox, M., Webster, N., Russo, J.P., Freeman, D. (2020). Just in time equity dialogues: Lessons designed to foster honest conversations with youth about social justice issues. National 4-H Program Leaders Working Group. 

Skuza, J.A. & Russo, J.P. (2018). WeConnect: A global youth citizenship curriculum (2nd ed.). St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota.

Skuza, J., Russo, J., Meyer, R. (2018). A field guide to program planning in youth development. University of Minnesota Extension: St. Paul, MN.

Landrieu, J., & Russo, J.P. (2014). “The What, How, and Why of 21st Century Urban Youth Development.” Reclaiming Children and Youth, 23.3, 48-52.

Russo, J.P. (2012). “Big urban woods 4-H club.” In Ripberger, c., & Blalock, L. B. 4-H science in urban communities promising practices guide.

Skuza, J., & Russo, J. (2008). Capturing youth voice to assess learning in urban youth development programs. Journal of Youth Development 2 (3).

Skuza, J., Russo, J., Gates, E., Kawase, M. (2007). Urban youth lead: Becoming the authors of their lives. St. Paul: Regents of the University of Minnesota.