N4C ANNUAL PRECONFERENCE

Leadership in Practice

Building Educator Pathways and Sustaining Campus Partnerships

Wednesday, March 10, 2027  |  12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

How to Register

Register for the Preconference through the conference registration site. You can register for the Preconference on its own. Full conference registration is not required. Download a printable flier here.

SESSION 1  ·  12:50 – 2:00 PM

Leadership Starts on the Floor: Bridging Early Childhood Practice and Higher Education Systems

Explore how early childhood leadership bridges classroom practice and higher education systems, strengthening educator pathways, supporting student-parent success, and building responsive teams through relationship-driven, practice-based leadership.

Mariela Lopez, Ed.D. (candidate)
Director of Early Learning, Miami Dade College

Mariela Lopez is a leader in early childhood education and higher education, currently serving as Director of Early Learning at Miami Dade College. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida International University and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation with a specialization in Administration at St. Thomas University. Mariela leads a NAEYC-accredited laboratory school that serves as both a high-quality early learning program and a training site for future educators. Her work focuses on strengthening educator pathways, advancing program quality, and supporting student-parent success through innovative, research-informed practices that bridge early childhood and higher education systems.

SESSION 2  ·  2:15 – 3:25 PM

Collaborative Campus Partnerships: Setting Up Systems to Establish and Sustain

Are you leveraging partnerships and collaborations to support students and staff and firmly establish the impact of your program on your campus? Leave with actionable ideas to establish, organize, and sustain mutually beneficial relationships.

Dawne Morison, M.Ed.
UF Early Childhood Collaboratory, University of Florida

Dawne Morison is a leader in early childhood education with 30 years of experience, currently serving as Assistant Director for Research and Educational Support in the University of Florida's early childhood program. She holds an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in English and Elementary Education. Dawne has worked with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children as a teacher, early childhood facility owner and director, and administrator. Her work focuses on building and sustaining collaborations and partnerships with campus departments and programs.

At a Glance

TimeItem
12:30 – 12:45 Lunch
12:45 – 12:50 Introduction
12:50 – 2:00 Session 1
2:00 – 2:15 Break
2:15 – 3:25 Session 2
3:25 – 3:30 Closing Remarks & Feedback Forms