Staff

Cathy Grace, Ed.D.
Professor, Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education
Founding Director, Early Childhood Institute
662-325-4836

Esther M. Howard, Ed.D.
Interim Co-Director
662-325-3855

Gail Lindsey, Ed.D.
Interim Co-Director
662-325-4836

Marlo Anderson
Office Associate
662-325-7065

Eileen Beazley, M.S.
Regional Coordinator
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
601-918-3672

Jennifer Bell, B.S.
Teacher
Aiken Village Preschool
662-325-3909

Lynn Bell, B.A.
Multimedia Producer
501-351-3137

Reba Betts 
Office Associate
662-325-3855

Crystal Blackmon, B.A.
Field Supervisor
Mississippi Delta Early Learning Corps
601-278-1335

Gwen Blaine
Evaluator/Monitor
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
662-312-2409

Connie Clay, M.S.
Director
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
Rebuilding After Katrina Initiative
601-853-3972

Bob Clay, B.S.
Sites Coordinator
Excel By 5 Community Initiative

Shawanda Collins, B.S.
Technical Assistance Specialist
Partners for Quality Child Care
601-717-0977

Tracy Cui, M.S.
Database Manager
662-325-2530

Vernitta Crawford, B.S.
Monitor
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
662-325-4836

Carl Henderson, B.S.
Technical Assistant
Mississippi Power Early Learning
Program
601-467-8657

Cathy Hollingshed
Administrative Assistant
662-325-2367

Jessamine D. Huffman, M.S.
Coordinator
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-325-9710

Debra Kleban, A.A.S.
Purchasing Coordinator
662-325-2898

Annjo Lemons, B.A.
Director
Excel by 5 Community Initiative
601-613-3072

Sonya Massey, B.S.
Teacher
Aiken Village Preschool
662-325-3909

Monica May, M.S.
Field Supervisor
Mississippi Building Blocks
662-213-9039

Schanna McClintock
Project Accounts Specialist
662-325-1897

Kimberly McLeod
Project Assistant
Americorp
662-325-3855

Irish Meaders, A.A.
Technical Assistance Specialist
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-315-1971

Daphne Miller, M.S.
Evaluator/Monitor
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
662-803-2282

Jayme Moore
Technical Assistant/Evaluator
Partners for Quality Child Care
Technical Assistant
Horizon Project
601-624-4886

Cheryl Mueller, M.S.
Director
Mississippi Power Early Learning Program
601-520-3282

Pamela Myrick-Mottley, M.Ed.
Director
First Things First
601-466-7286

Merry Pennell, B.S.
Regional Coordinator
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System
662-418-7880

Charlotte Polk, A.A.
Technical Assistance Specialist
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-682-2606

Gena Puckett, A.A.
Technical Assistance Specialist
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-871-7291

Chavon Riddley, B.S.
Technical Assistant/Evaluator
Partners for Quality Child Care
601-896-8082

Deana Sanders, B.A.
Evaluator/Monitor
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step
System
504-258-0112

Charlene H. Smith, M.S.
Regional Coordinator
Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System
662-324-0720

Tina Sweeten, M.A.N.M.
Field Supervisor
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-325-2138

Cheryl Swoopes, M.S.
Research Associate II
662-325-2226

JoAnn Thomas, M.S.
Director
Partners for Quality Child Care
662-325-2881

Nicole L. Thompson, Ph.D.
(Menominee/Mohican)
Coordinator
American Indian/Alaska Native
Early Learning Initiative
662-325-4867

Kimberly Triplett, Ph.D.
Field Supervisor and Training Coordinator
Leaders in Literacy, Mississippi Delta Early Learning Corps, and Delta Early
Learning Project
662-325-5116

Monnie Vail
Director
Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship Program