L.K. Mondrey named Virginia Tech's natural resources youth education Extension specialist
New statewide role will expand hands-on natural resources education and leadership opportunities for youth across the commonwealth.
L.K. Mondrey. Photo by Chris Moody for Virginia Tech.
L.K. Mondrey has been named Virginia Tech's natural resources youth education Extension specialist in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.
In this new statewide leadership role, Mondrey will lead efforts to develop and expand hands-on educational programs that connect young people with Virginia's forests, wildlife, water resources, and natural resource careers. Coordinating across Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and community partners, she will help build the next generation of environmental stewards and natural resource professionals.
“L.K. brings tremendous energy, creativity, and a deep commitment to youth development,” said Brian Bond, the associate dean for Extension, Outreach, and Engagement and a professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. “Her experience building partnerships, delivering engaging outdoor education programs, and inspiring young people through hands-on learning makes her an outstanding choice to launch this important statewide initiative. We are also deeply appreciative of our partnership with the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation in helping this position become a reality.”
Mondrey joins the position after serving as an associate Extension agent for 4-H positive youth development in Amelia County. There, she developed and delivered outdoor education programs that reached more than 2,300 youth and adults through archery, fishing, wildlife, herpetology, and conservation education. She also expanded educator capacity by training 58 Project WILD educators and collaborated with schools, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, soil and water conservation districts, and Virginia State University to strengthen youth natural resources education.
“I'm excited to help create opportunities for young people across Virginia to discover the outdoors, explore natural resource careers, and develop the knowledge and leadership skills they'll need to care for our forests, wildlife, and waterways,” Mondrey said.
The new position will lead statewide youth natural resources programming through Virginia Cooperative Extension, including developing innovative educational programs, expanding experiential learning opportunities, supporting youth competitions, and building partnerships that strengthen environmental literacy and workforce development across the commonwealth. The position is split funded between Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation.
The Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation, which has a deep history of supporting forestry education at Virginia Tech and in public schools throughout the Commonwealth believe this position will play a key role in building talent pipelines to support forestry and forest products industries.
“Having a youth education specialist dedicated to this work strengthens our collective impact and deepens the connection between students, educators, and the forestry community,” said Ken Morgan, president of the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation. “The Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation Board of Directors are inspired to help fund the position because we see firsthand how early engagement can spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors for young people across our state.”
The specialist will also pursue external funding and develop new educational resources to support Extension professionals and volunteers throughout Virginia.
“Virginia's future depends on the next generation of natural resource professionals. I'm excited to help young people discover careers they may never have imagined while building the skills and confidence to become future conservation leaders,” Mondrey said.
Before joining Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mondrey served as a middle school assistant principal and spent nine years teaching science in Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama, where she specialized in inquiry-based science instruction and hands-on learning. She holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Longwood University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Davidson College.
Mondrey has been recognized for her work in youth education, receiving the 2025 Conservation Educator of the Year Award and the 2024 Excellence in Communication and Expressive Arts Award.
