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Dear ECE Students and Champions,
It is with mixed emotions that I am writing to announce my resignation from my position of Early Childhood Education Director at CAC effective later this month. I will be accepting a position with the newly created Division of Child Care at the Arizona Department of Economic Security where I will continue my work and advocacy for programs and services to support the Arizona early childhood education workforce. In the eight and a half years that I have been with CAC I have had the opportunity to learn from so many wonderful students and colleagues. As I reflect on my time here, and all we have done together as a team, I am so proud of what we have accomplished together including:
- Successfully completing our NAEYC Reaccreditation to continue our reputation for quality as one of only three accredited associate degrees in Arizona
- An overhaul of our degree and certificate pathways to be more flexible and efficient for students including individualized supports and documentation for student advising
- Reopening of our Early Learning Centers on campus and securing grant funding to support child care stipends for CAC students and increase the quality of our lab sites for students
- Expansion of our grant programs to include additional resources, scholarships, and support for our workforce here in Pinal County and across the state
- New partnerships with high school CTE programs to support students entering the Early Childhood Education pipeline
- Supporting our Bilingual student cohorts and serving on the CAC Equity Council to create a college wide equity plan to serve as a framework for diversity, equity and inclusion at CAC
One of my favorite quotes that has been hanging on my office wall for several years is “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr”
I believe MLK's words speak so well to the work that early childhood educators do every day- bringing light and love into the world through their work with young children and families. There truly is no greater work, and I thank you all for allowing me to be part of your journey.
It has truly been a blessing for me to have spent this time enhancing and expanding the history and legacy of quality early childhood programs and services at CAC. Going forward please reach out to Chris Emlet or email ECENews@centralaz.edu with any questions.
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