Julie A. Chapin, Ph.D., has devoted more than four decades to advancing positive youth development through MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H, leaving a lasting impact as a professional, leader, volunteer, advocate and philanthropist. Among her many contributions, most recently, Chapin has served as a member of the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s Beyond Ready Campaign Core Committee, providing strategic leadership, fundraising expertise and a steadfast commitment to ensuring a strong future for Michigan 4-H and the young people it serves.
An Ottawa County 4-H alumna and member of the 4-H Emerald Clover Society, Chapin’s distinguished career has spanned county, state and national leadership roles. Chapin began her MSU Extension career in 1981 as a 4-H youth agent before serving as a youth animal science specialist and state 4-H program leader for volunteer development. In 2010, she became the inaugural director of MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Institute (CYI), while also serving as the state leader for Michigan 4-H and secretary of the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Following her retirement in 2018, she returned in 2022 to again lead CYI and Michigan 4-H, guiding the organization through a period of rebuilding, growth and innovation. She continued in that role through December 2023 and remained an advisor through June 2024.
Since 2022, Chapin has chaired the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s Resource Development Committee and has played a key leadership role on the Campaign Core Committee for the Beyond Ready Campaign. Her strategic insight, fundraising expertise, and commitment to engaging volunteers, donors and stakeholders have helped strengthen the campaign’s momentum and vision for the future.
A devoted supporter of the Michigan 4-H Foundation, Chapin and her husband, Larry, have championed endowment growth, established the Julie A. and Larry T. Chapin Endowment Fund and are recognized as Cornerstone Society members. Through her leadership, advocacy, service and philanthropy, Chapin has helped ensure that Michigan 4-H remains strong and well-positioned to serve future generations of young people.
