Matthew Rene Rodriguez

Matt is the University of California Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor for mental and emotional health in northern California (Nevada, Placer, Sutter, and Yuba Counties). Matt implements Extension education and applied research programs grounded in positive youth development theory and practice to enhance and improve the mental well-being of youth in 4-H. 

In his role, Matt supports local clientele needs and assets and provides support, research, and resources to meet the mental and emotional health needs of youth. Matt is currently developing an applied novel research and Extension education program focused on the intersectionality of screen time, music, and character development of youth. Subthemes to be explored at the intersectionality would include strategies for building capacity of the 4-H statewide program through domains of individual health (e.g. physical, nutritional, economic, relational) and community level contextual factors (e.g., community health assets, built environment, and public policy). Matt is building capacity for 4-H program development (4-H Youth Development; 4-H Healthy Living) to affect critical skills influential to youth mental and emotional health (e.g. coping, mindfulness, stress management, mental health first aid/suicide prevention, college and career transitions) to holistically address 4-H Thriving outcomes and career readiness skills. 

Matt earned his PhD from the University of Maryland's School of Public Health in the Department of Family Science. His dissertation, "Influence of Latinx Fathers' Behaviors, Cognitions, Affect, and Family Congruence on Youth Energy Balance-Related Health Outcomes," investigated Latinx father involvement in the context of youth energy balance-related behaviors. 

In addition to his research, Matt is an educator and was the Fall 2021 instructor for the University of Maryland's "Modern Families" introductory family science course (FMSC 170). Topics covered in the course are modern family, marriage and cohabitation, parenthood, public policies, reproductive technologies, LGBTQ families, mass incarceration, socialization of children against racism, immigration, divorce, the economy, COVID-19 vaccine decision-making, resilience, obesity prevention, mental health, and intimate partner violence.

Matt is actively involved in presenting his research at national conferences, such as the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). He serves on the UC Community Nutrition and Health Program Team, Expanded Learning Work Group, and Volunteer Development Advisory.

Matt and his wife have two adolescents and enjoy spending time together as a family. Matt grew up in a multicultural family (Puerto Rican and Japanese) and enjoys meeting people from all over the world.