Meghan Thoreau is an Ohio State University Extension Educator in Community Development serving Pickaway County, with a primary focus on preparing youth for careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). She works collaboratively with Extension colleagues, volunteers, campus partners, and community organizations to provide leadership in the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming and applied research that strengthens STEM pathways and workforce readiness.
In addition to her STEM education work, Meghan is a HUD-certified Housing Counselor, providing pre-purchase homebuyer education, financial capability counseling, and post-purchase support to individuals and families. Her counseling work emphasizes sustainable homeownership, budgeting and financial readiness, foreclosure prevention, and long-term housing stability—aligning with Extension’s mission to connect research-based knowledge to everyday life challenges.
More specifically, Meghan leads and supports programming that addresses current and emerging needs related to STEM education and workforce development in Pickaway County schools. She works closely with the Pickaway County Educational Service Center, Pickaway WORKS, school district curriculum leaders, teachers, economic development organizations, local businesses, and OSU collaborators to strengthen career-connected learning opportunities.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Meghan is an avid world traveler and has lived in Western Wyoming, Upstate New York, and Eastern South Dakota before relocating with her family to Central Ohio. She has worked with communities at both municipal and grassroots levels and is deeply committed to strengthening community capacity and improving the quality of life for residents.
She strongly believes in the Extension mission—linking current research and knowledge to practical application—and works to address today’s educational and economic challenges while helping secure a vibrant, resilient future for communities and families.
Meghan holds a B.S. in Construction Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P.) from Cornell University. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) in the State of Ohio.
Areas of Expertise: STEM Youth Development, Youth Career Development, Planning, Zoning, Land-use, Energy Development, and HUD Housing Counseling.
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