After four years of serving the association as member at large, and one year as interim president, Wixon has been named president of Michigan AEYC.
North Central Michigan College’s Jennifer Wixson has recently been named as the president of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (or Michigan AEYC) governing board.
At North Central Michigan College (or NCMC), Wixson serves as the early childhood and teacher education program coordinator, and a member of the early childhood education faculty. She started her term at Michigan AEYC on June 20. She had previously served for four years on the board as member at large, and one year as president elect.
Michigan AEYC serves as Michigan’s top professional organization that works toward improving the quality of early childhood education. It works to promote research, policy advocacy, professional development, and best practices, in order to support the education of children between their birth and age 8, along with supporting the advocates, families, and educators of those children.
In an article posted on North Central Michigan College’s website, Wixson was quoted about her time with Michigan AEYC, and how it has shown her how large a role childhood education plays in the overall strength of the community, saying, "Michigan's youngest children deserve champions who are committed to the long game. My years on this board have deepened my conviction that when we invest in high-quality early childhood education, we invest in the future of every community across this state. I am honored to step into this role and look forward to working alongside educators, advocates and families to advance Michigan AEYC's mission in meaningful ways."
As president of Michigan AEYC, Wixson will pull on her experiences working through the various leadership ranks of the organization to inform her insights into workforce, policy, and educational issues impacting Michigan’s early education. She will use this information to guide the organization’s advocacy efforts and strategic direction while also supporting the early childhood professionals working all over Michigan.
Michele Andrews serves as NCMC’s dean of business, education, and adjunct facility. She spoke highly of Wixson, saying, "Professor Wixson’s leadership and commitment to early childhood education have made a significant impact on our students and the communities they will serve. Her election to this statewide leadership role reflects both her expertise and her dedication to strengthening educational opportunities for young children and the professionals who support them. We are proud to see her represent North Central and Northern Michigan at the state level."
Wixson is also the leader of NCMC’s Child Care Initiative, which works to connect community organizations, policymakers, employers, and educators as they work to improve Northern Michigan’s early childhood workforce, and address the challenges that early childcare providers routinely face. More information about the Child Care Initiative can be found on its webpage.
More information about Michigan AEYC can be found at the organization’s website.
More information about North Central Michigan College and all the programs offered can be found at the school’s website.