NKECHY M. EZEH
Grand Rapids
Summary
International scholar, accomplished educational administrator with extensive education and practical experience in program development and community outreach. Secured over $49 million in funding while creating inclusive learning environments and enhancing educational access. Proven expertise in curriculum design, evaluation, mentoring, and strategic planning, driving organizational success through innovative program facilitation. Strong background in team leadership and project management, resulting in improved community engagement and operational efficiency. Energetic professional equipped to handle demanding workloads covering regular and special events programming. Works smoothly at all levels to meet creative, technical and operational goals. Excels at promotions and materials management.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Program Facilitator
Empowering Global Youth Connection
Michigan
01.2023 - Current
- EGYC has services based in either Western Kenya or Western Michigan. Our core purpose is to empower young people to improve their lives and the lives of others.
- Facilitate an empowerment project that engages young adults through community-based education, mentoring, enrichment, and employment readiness programs to help them develop skills and strengthen ties to family and community.
- Coach and mentor newly arrived immigrant mothers to claim their rightful position as their child’s first teacher in a culture that sometimes conflicts with theirs.
- Developed and facilitated a needs assessment in community of impact in Western Kenya.
- Lead weekly circle of parenting for mothers and young adult girls.
- One-on-one coaching and mentoring of mothers and young adults girls.
- Assist with the grant-writing team.
- Program presentation.
- Program Evaluation.
- Developed engaging workshops for youth empowerment and skill-building.
- Facilitated discussions to promote inclusivity and cultural awareness among participants.
- Coordinated partnerships with local organizations to enhance program offerings.
- Ensured program compliance with local regulations and standards.
Adjunct Professor
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Plan and facilitate undergraduate-level courses and college preparation seminars for high school students.
- Course Developed and Taught: College Success Seminar, Human Growth, and Development.
- Developed course materials for diverse student populations at Muskegon Community College.
- Evaluated student assignments and provided constructive feedback on performance.
- Collaborated with faculty on curriculum design and program improvements.
- Mentored students through academic challenges, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Conducted assessments to gauge student progress and comprehension regularly.
Adjunct Professor
Davenport University
Grand Rapids
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Plan and facilitate graduate-level courses for students in the Michigan Talent Together Program.
- Course Developed and Taught: Foundations of Urban Education.
- Evaluated student assignments and provided constructive feedback on performance.
- Collaborated with faculty on curriculum design and program improvements.
- Mentored students through academic challenges, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Tenured Professor of Education & Director of Early Childhood Education Program
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids
01.1998 - 07.2023
- Plan and facilitate education courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Mentor and advise undergraduate, early childhood, and Master of Education graduate students.
- Evaluate and improve all early childhood and general education courses to meet standards.
- Led the strategic direction for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the School of Education..
- Led the early childhood education programs, ensuring they meet and exceed all requirements for accreditation.
- Represented and promoted Aquinas College Early Childhood and Elementary Education Program in the community.
- Served on the Early Childhood Education Test Framework and Anti-Bias Committee at the Department of Education.
- Operate as the Director of the Early Childhood Education program, recruiting highly qualified adjuncts, reviewing course evaluations with adjuncts, and making recommendations to the dean of the School of Education.
- Mentored faculty and staff, fostering collaborative academic environments.
- Advised students on academic issues and career paths.
- Supervised graduate students in their thesis research projects.
- Participated in departmental committees that address curriculum development, assessment strategies or technology initiatives.
- Built strong student rapport by driving classroom and online discussions and providing academic advisement.
- Conducted research related to the field of study.
- Developed and implemented course materials, such as syllabi, lectures, readings, assignments and exams.
Pedagogical Leader & CEO
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative
Michigan
01.2011 - 05.2023
- Lead all areas of the organization, including recruiting an effective Board of Directors and an executive leadership team.
- Empower parents as change agents.
- Design policies and procedures for the organization to reduce the profound and persistent racial disparities in early childhood education.
- Testify annually before the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives K-12 appropriate committee on the need for vulnerable children to access quality early childhood education.
- Steer change in transportation funding, resulting in an increase for community based organizations.
- Earned a reputation as the Founder and pedagogical director of the culturally competent early care and education model.
- Successfully expanded the early learning programming to 3 communities, including Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo.
- Recognized for developing Empowering Parents Impacting Children (EPIC) ⟨⟩, a 2-generational approach to early childhood education.
- Led the establishment of over 45 high quality preschool classrooms in the communities of impact.
- Led the development of the intentional culturally competent early care and education model implementation manual for the three communities of impact.
- Led the impact focused training and learning design, pedagogical direction, and process for each impact community.
- Co-led the evaluation of needs-based professional learning for early childhood education staff in each impact community.
- Secured over $49 million in local, state, and federal funding for the organization.
- Propelled an advocacy effort for a 3-year-old preschool, resulting in a state-funded 3-year-old pilot program.
- Led team in developing early childhood education programs and initiatives.
- Assisted in strategic planning for future growth of educational services offered.
- Implemented feedback systems to improve program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.
- Analyzed data to make decisions related to personnel management.
LEAD Scholar, Faculty of Education University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Sabbatical)
National University Commission Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria
01.2013 - 02.2014
- Served as Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Dr. Ebi Bio Awotua-efebo.
- Co-led the comprehensive review of the Early Childhood and Primary Education courses, and recommended changes for the Faculty of Education.
- Developed and facilitated teacher training, coaching, and mentoring of teachers at the University Demonstration Primary School, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- Co-planned and led an educational conference for Early Childhood and Primary Education teachers in the region.
- Collaborated with peers to develop innovative theories and approaches.
- Analyzed historical data to identify trends and implications for current studies.
- Contributed ideas for potential new areas of investigation or inquiry within the discipline.
Associate Director
United Methodist Community House
Michigan
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Pioneered the accreditation process, resulting in accrediting the UMCH Child Development Program (National Association for the Education of Young Children Academy) – the first in the area.
- Ensured the state-funded preschool program maintained quality.
- Accelerated growth by developing, implementing, and coordinating various initiatives, including Program Evaluation and Assessment, Child-Centered Early Care and Education Program, Center for Family Development (Family Resource Center), Family Literacy and Education Program, and Individual Professional Development Planning for Staff.
- Lead the Youth Program that included an after-school program, a summer program, and a skill development and acquisition center.
- Led community outreach programs to enhance engagement and support services.
- Oversaw staff training initiatives to improve service delivery and team effectiveness.
- Collaborated with local organizations to develop partnerships for resource sharing.
- Developed strategic plans to address community needs and service gaps.
Education
Doctor of Education - Child and Youth Studies
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USAFort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Master of Education - Early Childhood Education
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan, USAAllendale, Michigan, USA
Bachelor of Arts - Language and Literature
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan, USAAllendale, Michigan, USA
Associate of Arts - Child Development
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USAGrand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Skills
- Advocacy
- Community outreach
- Curriculum development
- Collaborative learning
- Cross-cultural communication
- Grant writing
- Curriculum design
- Learning styles
- Mentoring others
- Program development and evaluation
- Project management
- Process improvements
- Public speaking
- Public policy
- Staff development
- Team collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Workshop facilitation
- Workshop facilitation
Affiliations
- World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI)
- National Black Child Development Institute
Certification
ETOM Online Teaching Certification Course, 11/12/23
References
Professional
Dr. Susan English, sjenglish@gmail.com, 616-340-9828
Allison Hoving-Baraza, hovingal@gmail.com, 616-834-2299
Jennifer Jones, jennifer.jones@muskegoncc.edu, 231-750-7949
Pastor Patricia Addy, Paddy Educational Consulting, Monrovia, Liberia Patriciaaddy123@gmail.com, +231775057427
Mrs. June Lee, Sanguine Consulting, Singapore,
june@sanguineconsulting.com, +65 88011787
Personal
Dr. Gerald Baraza, geraldbaraza2000@gmail.com, 616-499-5165
Louise Foltz, weezerlaf@yahoo.com, 517-285-8118
Publications
- The Case for Developing BIPOC Educational Leaders: Learning while Leading in the Community, Ezeh, N., 2025, Routledge, forthcoming
- Nwaenyi: Child of an Elephant Lessons Learned from my father, a Nigerian Chief about Child Development and Affirmation, Ezeh, N., 2020
- The Current Reality Report, Ezeh, N., 2010, Thriving Children Division W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Unpublished Manuscript
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Davenport University
08.2023 - 12.2023
Adjunct Professor
Muskegon Community College
05.2023 - 12.2024
Lead Program Facilitator
Empowering Global Youth Connection
01.2023 - Current
LEAD Scholar, Faculty of Education University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Sabbatical)
National University Commission Abuja, Nigeria
01.2013 - 02.2014
Pedagogical Leader & CEO
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative
01.2011 - 05.2023
Associate Director
United Methodist Community House
01.2003 - 01.2010
Tenured Professor of Education & Director of Early Childhood Education Program
Aquinas College
01.1998 - 07.2023
Doctor of Education - Child and Youth Studies
Nova Southeastern University
Master of Education - Early Childhood Education
Grand Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts - Language and Literature
Grand Valley State University
Associate of Arts - Child Development
Grand Rapids Community College
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