Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Jan Lacina the Bezos Family Foundation Endowed Chair for Early Childhood Education and professor at Texas Christian University, to the Texas Early Learning Council.
"I am honored to serve on a council devoted to improving the quality of early childhood services across Texas," Lacina said. "Early childhood education establishes a strong foundation for a child's future, with early literacy skills playing a critical role. Early childhood education is always a good investment in Texas."
The council serves as Texas' State Advisory Council under the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. It brings together leaders from across the state to strengthen coordination among state agencies and local providers, with the goal of improving the quality of and access to early childhood services for Texas children and families.
"This appointment reflects the caliber of scholarship and leadership we're proud to have at TCU,” said College of Education Dean Frank Hernandez. “Dr. Lacina's work bridges research and practice in a way that will directly benefit early childhood services across our state, and we're excited to see her contribute at this level."
At TCU, Lacina also serves as interim executive director of the university's Lab Schools—Starpoint and KinderFrogs schools. An internationally recognized scholar in early childhood education and literacy, she is associate editor of the Early Childhood Education Journal, an international ambassador and journal board member for the United Kingdom Literacy Association, and a member of the International Literacy Association and the American Educational Research Association.
Lacina earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Interdisciplinary Studies from Baylor University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Texas Woman's University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Kansas.
Abbott also appointed Jennifer Vincent, director of field for daycare operations at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and Jennifer Warren, executive director of special programs at Bryan Independent School District, to serve on the council.