Campus Early Childhood Education and Care

Project Overview

Building on previous child care and early childhood education initiatives, University Initiatives & Policy has convened a Campus Early Childhood Education and Care Working Group and Subcommittee to explore the feasibility of a campus early childhood education center. To date, this initiative has included a feasibility study; working with Planning, Design, & Construction to identify potential sites; and securing a $100,000 federal grant to develop a site analysis and concept design. 

The feasibility study includes a needs assessment, market research, stakeholder interviews, operational model considerations, and space and budget considerations. This study will allow us to better understand our campus community’s early education and child care needs as well as potential education and care options for UA parents and caregivers, including the possible development of a campus early childhood education and care center for faculty, staff, and students. 

Working Group & Subcommittee Members

Name Title Unit/Department
Melissa Barnett Associate Professor, Family Studies & Human Development Norton School of Human Ecology; Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Monica Brinkerhoff Associate VP, Early Childhood Education United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
Karla Cruze-Silva Associate Director Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives
Madeleine De Blois Research Scientist Norton School of Human Ecology
Chris Dominiak Manager of Employee Benefits Human Resources
Peter Dourlein Associate Vice President, University Architect Planning, Design & Construction
Leah Duran Associate Professor, Teaching/Learning and Sociocultural Studies College of Education
Tessa Dysart Assistant Director of Legal Writing and  Clinical Professor, Law ; Secretary of the Faculty College of Law; Faculty Senate
Kara Haberstock Tanoue Research Specialist, Sr. Norton School of Human Ecology
Carole Jensen Director, Child Language Center, Wings on Words Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Chrissy Lieberman Associate Dean of Students Dean of Students
Maritza Magdalena Marquez Olague College of Education Graduate Student Representative Graduate and Professional Student Council
Paty Marquez Architect, Project Manager Planning, Design, & Construction
Leanna Olivar Assistant Director, Athletic Training, Arizona Athletics Arizona Athletics; Commission on the Status of Women
Jeff Ratje Associate Vice President, Finance, Administration and Operations Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences & Cooperative Extension
Iliana Reyes Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Community and Global Partnerships College of Education
Pablo Rocha President & Graduate Student Graduate and Professional Student Council
Lourdes Rodriguez Manager, Childcare and Family Resources Life & Work Connections - Human Resources

Project Contact

Lori Van Buggenum, llv@arizona.edu 

Alex Robie Harris, robie@arizona.edu