Chavonda Jacobs-Young

Chavonda J. Jacobs-Young (born 1967 ) is an American government executive who served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics from 2022 to 2025. Jacobs-Young was previously the administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, first appointed in February 2014; she was the first female and person of color to lead the agency. In 1998, Jacobs-Young became the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in paper science. During high school and her time at North Carolina State University, she participated in the high jump event and was a three time Atlantic Coast Conference champion.

In 2002, Jacobs-Young was approached about joining the federal government. On June 8, 2022, Jacobs-Young was confirmed to the position, becoming the first woman of color in the post.

In March 2022, Jacobs-Young was included in #IfThenSheCan - The Exhibit around the National Mall in celebration of Women's History Month; the exhibit features 120 life-size statues of women who work in STEM fields.