About Us

The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), housed at UMBC’s Shriver Center and Division of Professional Studies, is a workforce development initiative designed to cultivate a diverse and robust pipeline of early childhood leaders in Maryland. We believe that strong leadership across all sectors of early childhood care and education is critical to ensuring equitable opportunities for children and families.

Founded with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), MECLP is a collaborative effort led by experienced early childhood professionals and leadership development experts. Together, we are building a vibrant, statewide community of practice centered on equity, systems change, and sustainable impact.

Our Vision

MECLP envisions a Maryland where all early childhood professionals—regardless of role or sector—are equipped, empowered, and connected as transformative leaders driving positive outcomes for young children, families, and communities.

Our Mission

MECLP develops and supports bold, effective leaders in early childhood who are ready to:

  • Advocate for equitable, high-quality early childhood experiences;

  • Influence systems and policies at the local and state levels;

  • Engage in cross-sector collaboration;

  • Strengthen Maryland’s early childhood workforce pipeline.

By building a statewide network of visionary leaders, we are shaping a more just and equitable future for Maryland’s children—especially those from historically underserved and vulnerable communities.

What We Do

MECLP’s unique approach combines leadership development, coaching, peer learning, and policy engagement to create deep, lasting change. Our work is focused on five long-term results:

  1. Improved Outcomes
    Strengthen outcomes for young children, families, and communities through effective, equity-driven leadership.

  2. Policy and Systems Change
    Equip leaders to affect change in systems, policies, and programs across sectors.

  3. Equity and Access
    Advance equitable, high-quality early childhood care and education for all children in Maryland.

  4. Leadership Pipeline
    Build a diverse cadre of professionals recognized as transformative leaders in the early childhood field.

  5. Sustainability and Growth
    Embed leadership development into statewide structures and funding strategies to ensure long-term impact.

Our Five-Year Plan (2021–2026)

Over five years, MECLP is pursuing a strategic growth plan to deepen our impact and expand leadership capacity statewide. Key priorities include:

  • Scaling the MECLP Leadership Program to engage more professionals annually;

  • Enhancing coaching and mentorship for emerging leaders;

  • Developing a policy leadership track to elevate early childhood voices in legislative and administrative arenas;

  • Expanding cross-sector partnerships across education, health, and social services;

  • Securing sustainable funding through state investments, philanthropy, and fee-for-service programming.

By 2026, MECLP aims to institutionalize its model within Maryland’s professional development and policy ecosystems, ensuring that leadership is not an afterthought—but a foundational element of a thriving early childhood system.