Grand Rapids, Mich. - Dr. Nkechy Ezeh, associate professor of education and director of the early childhood education program at Aquinas College, has been selected as a fellow for the inaugural class of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) Community Leadership Network. Dr. Ezeh was chosen from more than 1,900 national candidates, which included nearly 500 Michigan applicants.

Dr. Ezeh will spend the next three years as a part of this network, which aims to develop leadership skills of individuals working to help vulnerable children and families achieve optimal health and well-being, academic success, and financial security. >More about WKKF’s Community Leadership Network

In addition to being selected as a WKKF fellow, Michigan State Superintendent Mike Flanagan has appointed Dr. Ezeh to the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Great Start Advisory Council. Dr. Ezeh’s two-year term on this council began September 16. The council will help the state integrate programs across agencies at the state and local levels, understand local challenges and learn from successful local efforts. >Learn more about the Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start

“These opportunities are major personal and professional milestones for me and I am thrilled to be involved with these organizations,” said Dr. Ezeh. “I look forward to contributing to both organizations, and using the knowledge and experience gained from these boards to benefit my work here at Aquinas College and through the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaboration.”

Dr. Ezeh joined Aquinas College’s faculty in 1998. As an international scholar and educator, Dr. Ezeh has conducted professional development and parent education workshops in 11 countries. In 2011, she lead a collaborative process to establish the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), which plans and designs an intentional preschool service system aimed at providing, expanding and sustaining the capacity of high quality early care and education programs in Grand Rapids. She serves as ELNC’s Chief Executive Officer.