Zeynep Ercan, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
Co-Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute, Center for Access, Success, and Equity
Zeynep I. Ercan is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Rowan University College of Education. She also co-directs Early Childhood Leadership Institute, a professional development and research avenue in early childhood formed within Center for Access, Success, and Equity at Rowan University. Her research agenda includes:
- Culturally and linguistically diverse children, teachers, families and communities within the field of early childhood education (ages 0-8),
– Educational experiences of children and families from unique immigrant communities such as Turkish and Burmese;
- Best practices for culturally responsive teaching and intellectual development,
– The ways innovative pedagogies and practices such as 3D technologies and science/literacy inquiry projects can respond to the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms;
- Professional development of practitioners and leaders in early childhood education,
– Coaching and mentoring early childhood practitioners and mentoring; and
– Dispositional development.
Dr. Ercan’s research has appeared in academic journals such as: Young Children, Race, Ethnicity and Education, Childhood Education, International Journal of Science Education, Early Childhood Education Journal, and Diaspora, Indigenous and Minority Education Journal. Dr. Ercan has been actively serving educational and academic communities on the local, national and international levels.
Dr. Ercan is the recipient of 2011 CEPP Dean’s Faculty Accomplishment award, and 2010 Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs: Council of Diversity Award, 2014 The Indiana Early Care and Education Award by Indiana Association for Education of Young Children, and Wall of Fame Award for Teaching and Advising in 2017 for her contributions to the professional development of early childhood practitioners.
E-mail: ercan@rowan.edu
Phone: (856) 256-4500
Kelley J. Perkins, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Kelley J. Perkins serves as the Co-Director of the Early Childhood Leadership Institute. She brings to the Institute over 20 years of experience in the field as a teacher, state and federal technical assistant and faculty member/researcher. Dr. Perkins earned her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in Human Development and Family Studies, where her research focused on professional development and early childhood policy. Dr. Perkins currently works in the following areas:
- She consults on both state child care policy and practices as well as early care and education program policies and practices, strategic planning, systems building, leadership development, and professional development for early care and education teachers and for technical assistance providers;
- Dr. Perkins specializes in evaluation research, focusing on quality improvement initiatives and opportunity assessments for supply and access in different state and local contexts; and
- She designs and implements new research-based infant and toddler courses in higher education settings as well as specialized professional development initiatives and research projects related to the care and education of infants and toddlers.
E-mail: perkinsk@rowan.edu
Jen Cortes, M.S.
Assistant Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Program Coordinator, Certificate of Graduate Studies in Early Childhood Coaching and Technical Assistance, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education & Critical Foundations
Jen Cortes serves as the Assistant Director for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. She also coordinates the Certificate of Graduate Studies in Early Childhood Coaching and Technical Assistance within the Department of Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education and is an instructor within the program. She utilizes her 20 years + experience in the field as a family child care provider, technical assistant, supervisor, trainer, researcher and coach to create and customize professional development and supports to best meet the wide range of program needs. Jen’s interest areas include strengthening self-efficacy and transformative learning experiences that result in transformed practice and is at the heart of her work within the institute through:
- Intentionally provide experiences that promote transformative learning, strengthen self-efficacy and encourage ECLI participants to see themselves as professionals, advocates, learners and leaders within the field;
- Facilitating Communities of Practice to provide a forum for networking and support;
- Creating and facilitating professional development opportunities for supporting growth and develop of supervisory staff;
- Gathering data through various strategies to measure staff growth over time and responding to participant needs; and
- Providing virtual coaching sessions and reflective sessions to build individual capacity and promote implementation of the Institute’s professional development framework.
Jen has presented research findings and conducted workshops at national conferences and published an article in NAEYC’s Young Children on her work in supporting family child care providers within a QRIS. Jen is a NLI Results Trained Coach and was also the recipient of Delaware’s 2007 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education for her role as a family child care provider.
E-mail: cortesj@rowan.edu
Phone: (302) 562-7741
Kate Bunoza, M.S.
Coach and Trainer, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Kate Bunoza serves as a Coach and Trainer for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success, and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. She is passionate about the importance of fostering healthy emotional, social and physical development of young children and empowering the leaders, caregivers, and communities that share a role in the outcome for success.
Kate earned her Master of Science Degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Chestnut Hill College. She enjoys applying her 10+ years of extensive study and experience in the area of early childhood behavioral and mental health as an intern therapist at a private practice, a mental health professional in a classroom setting for children with autism, a coach for foster care youth exploring transitions into educational settings and/or workforce, and a corporate trainer to her current work in virtual coaching, training development and facilitation, and project leadership.
E-mail: bunoza@rowan.edu
Christine Fulton, M.S.
Coach and Trainer, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Christine Fulton is a Coach and Trainer for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success, and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. She has worked for the last 15 years in Early Childhood Education as a general and special education teacher, a director, and a consultant. She most recently founded a universal pre-k program in New York City where she served as director for eight years.
Christine earned her Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and her Bachelor of Arts from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She is passionate about empowering, developing, and advocating for early childhood leaders in the important work they do each day and enjoys making connections with other early childhood professionals across the state.
Christine’s work within the Institute includes virtual coaching and development and facilitation of training.
E-mail: fultonc@rowan.edu
Paula Hartley
Coach and Trainer, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Paula Hartley is currently a Coach and Trainer at the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success, and Equity in Rowan University’s College of Education. With over 20 years of experience in the childcare field, Paula has held roles as an Infant Toddler Specialist, Quality Improvement Specialist, and director. She is committed to sharing her passion for knowledge in human development through engaging and dynamic teaching methods, customizing training sessions to meet the specific needs of the participants.
Certified in Advanced Supervision Consultation, ZERO TO THREE The Growing Brain Training, and the Environment Rating Scales for ITERS and FCCERS, Paula has honed her skills to provide effective training and support to early childcare professionals. Further enriching her expertise, she completed an IECMH Fellowship through Montclair University, PITC Training, and actively participates in Community of Leaders Discussions. Paula’s impact extends to a national level, where she has presented alongside state and regional leaders, contributing to the creation of an environment that values individuals and encourages them to be the best version of themselves.
Within the Institute, Paula’s responsibilities include virtual coaching, training development and facilitation, and project leadership. Paula’s unwavering commitment and diverse expertise inspires positive change in her field as well as in the Early Childhood Leadership Institute.
E-mail: hartleyp@rowan.edu
Nicole Hylton, M.S.
Coach and Trainer, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Nicole Hylton is currently a Coach and Trainer for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success, and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. She has worked in the human services field for over 25 years, accumulating a broad spectrum of experience, including statewide program development and leadership, adult instruction, and course development.
Nicole earned her Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services from the University of Delaware. Her focus and interest is building the capacity of leaders in the early childhood education and human services fields.
Nicole has been a presenter at both state and national conferences and published an article in NAEYC’s Young Children on the topic of staff retention in childcare programs.
Nicole’s work within the Institute includes virtual coaching, training development and facilitation, and project leadership. She is also an Adjunct Instructor in the Human Services Department at Delaware Technical and Community College.
E-mail: hylton@rowan.edu
Phone: (302) 270-2788
Nannette Kalman, M.S.
Program Specialist and Coordinator, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Nannette Kalman serves as the Program Specialist & Coordinator for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. She is also an Instructor and University Supervisor for the Early Childhood Education Program within the Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education Department in the College of Education at Rowan University.
Nannette received both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (K-8) and her Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Black Hills State University as well as her Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) from the University of Cambridge. She brings 20 years of experience teaching in both domestic public schools and private International educational institutions.
Nannette’s work within the Institute includes supporting and serving as communication liaise for ECLI’s Principal Investigator and Rowan University, managing all daily operations and navigating their internal processes. She collaborates with team members on projects and trainings, updates and maintains ECLI’s learning platform, manages project members and clients, helps with marketing of ECLI activities and COGS programs, and contributes to professional publications by researching best practices and resources.
E-mail: kalmann@rowan.edu
Phone: (856) 256-4500
Ebonyse Mead, Ph.D.
Consultant, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Dr. Ebonyse Mead is a Family Scientist and Racial Justice Consultant. She is an Assistant Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences at Virginia State University and has been a DEI Consultant with ECLI since 2020.
Dr. Mead has an extensive background in Family Science and Early Childhood Education. Her work focuses on supporting educators in creating equitable learning environments and Culturally Responsive practices in Family Science.
Dr. Mead serves as the National Parenting Education Network Professional Development Committee Chair. She’s also the co-author of Building Equitable Learning Programs: A Social Justice Approach and co-author of the Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education.
Dr. Mead is committed to creating equity and justice in programs that serve families and their young children.
E-mail: mead@rowan.edu
Grace McCormick, M.A.
Project Assistant, Early Childhood Leadership Institute
Grace McCormick is the current project assistant for the Early Childhood Leadership Institute within the Center for Access, Success, and Equity in the College of Education at Rowan University. Additionally, she currently works as a paraprofessional at The Bancroft School assisting persons-served reach milestones with daily life skills, social skills, and education in a school setting.
Grace’s role at ECLI includes assisting with several projects, maintaining updated professional development attendance reports, certificate creations, and other related tasks that support ECLI’s work.
Grace received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Towson University where she spent time interning at Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) in their Child and Family Therapy Clinic and The Harbour School as an assistant teacher in a high school math class. She has a Masters degree in School Psychology from Rowan University and is currently pursuing Rowan’s Education Specialist Degree for School Psychology.
Her plan is to use her degrees to find a position as a school psychologist to help foster an environment that promotes fair education and minimizes students’ obstacles by building strong relationships with both the students and those who are there to support them.
E-mail: mccorm64@students.rowan.edu
