Terry holds a BA in communications from Eastern Illinois University, a MA in Social Justice Professions from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois - Springfield) and a JD from Depaul University. He is a member of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA), the Illinois and National Associations of Community Development Extension Professionals and the Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education.

He also belongs to the Illinois State Bar Association and serves on the Local Government Law Section Council of that organization. He is Chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Alliance for Arts in Education, and Co-chair of the North Central Illinois Works - Youth Council. He is a member of the Boards of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative, Prairie Rivers RC & D, and the Advisory Board of the Illinois Youth Court Association.

Terry believes that safe, healthy communities provide the foundation for positive youth development and, toward that end, he is active with many organizations, committees, coalitions and councils.

Terry has presented to many youth, community and professional audiences.

Terry develops and facilitates 4-H Special Interest Clubs in the Northwest Region of Illinois. He works with local Unit Youth Development staff and interested volunteers to create 4-H Special Interest Clubs in which at least five youth will come together with at least one knowledgeable volunteer at least six times to explore a single area of interest.

4-H Special Interest Clubs rely on youth leadership and employ the elements of Positive Youth Development for which 4-H youth programming is nationally recognized.

Topic areas are limited only by the desire of the youth and the knowledge of the volunteer leaders. Topics range from peforming arts, to GPS/GIS, to government, to work skills, to robotics, to leadership, to environmental stewardship, to energy efficiency, to cooking, to CSI, to animal care, to ... .

Youth or adults with ideas for special interest clubs should contact their local University of Illinois Extension Office for more information.