Dr. Matthew Rodriguez is the University of California Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Advisor for mental and emotional health in northern California. 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 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. In 2022, Matt earned his PhD from the University of Maryland's School of Public Health in the department of Family Science.