University of Wyoming Extension welcomes new personnel

During the first two weeks of October, UW Extension has welcomed three individuals to the team – Matthew Helie as associate director and Erica Reasoner and Larissa Bonnet as county educators. 

Helie hired as associate director 

As one of two associate directors, Helie will oversee 4-H educators statewide and guide the team at the Wyoming State 4-H Office. In this role, he will also provide leadership for the 4-H Youth Development Program. 

“Through the interview process, it became clear Helie invests in people and has valued relationships through his career,” says UW Extension Director Mandy Marney. “His administrative experience, combined with experience building relationships with stakeholders in a variety of settings, will be helpful in his new role as associate director.” 

Helie received a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Connecticut in 2015. In 2017, he achieved his master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

He earned his doctorate in nutrition from Louisiana State University in 2022. His research required working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including rural communities. 

Helie most recently served as director of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) programming and evaluation at Louisiana State University (LSU). 

In this role, Helie managed more than 30 staff members, oversaw reporting and budgeting and analyzed data to ensure the program was benefiting Louisiana residents. 

During his time at LSU, he also collaborated with 4-H Healthy Living programs throughout the state, providing support to SNAP-Ed educators and 4-H educators. 

“I’m very excited to get out to visit county offices and get to know the state and all of the great people in 4-H and Extension,” says Helie. “I can’t wait to go visit with everyone in person to hear about their priorities for their counties and how we can support them at the state level.”

Reasoner continues work with UW Extension

Formerly the administrative assistant for Washakie County, Reasoner is switching roles within UW Extension as the new 4-H youth development educator for Crook County. 

Reasoner began working as an administrative assistant in the Washakie County Extension Office in 2022. During her time in this position, she took on several volunteer leadership roles within Washakie County 4-H. 

As a volunteer, Reasoner led 4-H activities in multiple project areas, including photography, shooting sports and fishing. She served as the Washakie County 4-H council treasurer and co-leader in the South Flat Juniors 4-H Club. 

Reasoner also created a Junior Master Gardener program for local youth in cooperation with the Worland Community Garden.

“I was not involved in 4-H in my youth, but after seeing the impact it has on the lives of youth, I wish I had been able to,” says Reasoner. “After jumping feet first into becoming a 4-H leader and working with youth, I fell in love with the community it creates.”

Reasoner believes her experiences in Washakie County will help her inspire youth, coordinate events and connect to new people. She is excited to explore Crook County and learn from new colleagues.

Reasoner earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies from UW in 2023. She has previously worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a biological science technician, where she assisted with invasive weed control. 

Bonnet welcomed by Sheridan County

Additionally, UW Extension welcomed Bonnet as a community vitality and health educator serving Sheridan County.

Bonnet grew up in Sheridan and serves as a volunteer in various community organizations.

Currently, she referees youth sports, serves as the president of the Sheridan Junior Hawks hockey team and supports the Advocacy and Resource Center of Sheridan. 

Bonnet earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. in 2002. In 2005, she received her master’s degree in counseling and human services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Bonnet is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., which she anticipates completing in 2025. 

Bonnet has spent more than a decade working for Sheridan College. For 13 years, she served as director of campus life and housing. In the past year, she worked as the director of campus services. 

In her time at Sheridan College, Bonnet developed leadership trainings, addressed student concerns, served on committees governing the college and coordinated building and service maintenance. 

She looks forward to learning new skills, deepening her existing connections and meeting new people in her new role with UW Extension. 

“I am excited to create new relationships and work with key partners in the Sheridan community to bring opportunities to the community,” says Bonnet. 

Maya Gilmore is a writer and editor of UW Extension. She can be reached at mgilmor4@uwyo.edu.