Program Details

During this unprecedented time in early childhood in our state and nation, we are incredibly grateful for the contributions Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program leaders are making across the many opportunities, initiatives and change efforts in Colorado. Since 2007, over 250 individuals within 13 cohorts have engaged in transformational learning to advance equity, excellence, and opportunity in partnership with communities of colleagues, children, families, and policy makers. Currently we are seeing even greater challenges and new opportunities for deep and sustainable change across the early childhood landscape. Additionally, our field has been disrupted by a global pandemic and within CU Denver’s community, the loss of Dean Kantor has left a hole.

In collaboration, BECLP partners at the Buell Foundation, Clayton Early Learning and CU Denver, have agreed to take a brief pause after Cohort 14 to engage in shared evaluation of the program’s influence on the field over the past 15 years. This time will also provide our partnership space to reflect on the successes of the past years of the program and consider future opportunities for the next phase of early childhood leadership development. Thus, we will not open applications for the 2022-23 academic year at this time. We will share what we learn from this program evaluation and keep the community informed on our next steps.

Program Description

The University of Colorado Denver’s Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program will prepare you to be a transformational leader in early childhood. You’ll learn about leadership practices specific to child development, learning organizations, and community and systems change. Annually, a diverse cohort of 18-22 fellows from across Colorado holding a variety of professional roles, receive full tuition funding by the Buell Foundation to engage in learning experiences that deepen their capacity to lead early childhood community and systems innovation and change.

This graduate certificate program, offered in partnership with Clayton Early Learning and the Buell Foundation, enrolls early childhood professionals who are committed to positive change within early childhood programs, policies, and practices to advance equity, excellence, and opportunity with all young children and families.

After completing the program, Buell Fellows join an alumni network that fosters ongoing connections and leadership learning. Students are also able to apply credits earned in this program into one of several master’s or doctoral programs offered at the CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development.

About the Cohorts

Learn more about the 14th Buell cohort.

The Buell Foundation in partnership with University of Colorado Denver and Clayton Early Learning is pleased to announce Cohort 14 of Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program Fellows. We have invited another set of diverse early childhood professionals to join the BECLP. This impressive group of individuals are working in a variety of leadership contexts including early learning, health, wellness, and policy and systems. This year we are delighted to have funds to enroll twenty candidates who have committed to join the 2021-2022 program year. We are grateful to the alumni and community partners who encouraged and supported all of the candidates to apply this year and to the alumni who served on the team to enroll this year's group. The commitment and passion that many have for leading change with young children and families, especially during this critical time, within their communities and across the state of Colorado is inspiring to us. It will be an honor to have the opportunity to teach and learn with this group of early childhood professionals this year!

Read and learn about the 11th, 12th and 13th cohorts' leadership stories in everyday contexts. The stories feature the issues and conversations Buell Fellows engage with and in during the program year.

Time Commitment

Courses are offered in a hybrid format with classes meeting in person and by Zoom. A detailed calendar with program dates is shared with applicants in full prior to commitment to participation.

Curriculum

ECED 5330: Introduction to Transformational Leadership

This course outlines the evolution of leadership theory over the past half-century and immerses students in an exploration of the values, leadership capacities, and practices that define transformational leadership as they apply to effecting change to support the success and well-being of young children and their families and communities. 3 credits

ECED 5311: Leadership for Equity in Early Childhood Programs

This course is designed to provide early childhood leaders with an understanding of the equity issues present in early childhood systems and how these issues are reflected in individual identities and programs. Theories from the academic community will be used to facilitate student growth in understanding how these issues interact with them at a personal, professional and leadership level. 3 credits

ECED 5301: Child Development: Theory to Leadership Practices

This course will provide an introduction to theories of child development from an interdisciplinary perspective. It examines development in the cognitive and socioemotional domains utilizing biological, social, psychological and anthropological perspectives and how theory is used to shape program models. 3 credits

ECED 5312: Leading Learning Organizations

This course will deepen student's capacity to lead effectively and learn how to create an adaptive, flexible learning organization well positioned for delivering effective and sustainable programs and services on behalf of young children and families. 3 credits

ECED 5350: Policy and Advocacy in Early Childhood

This course provides the historical and political context of early care and education in the United States. Local, state and federal mandates, public laws, and legislative procedures and initiatives will be investigated. 3 credits

ECED 5320: Community-based Action Research: Capstone

The course focuses on the leader’s role in promoting inquiry as a means to improve the ECE field. Students will gain experience with community-based action research as a methodology for addressing critical systems and program issues affecting their work. 3 credits

Cost/Scholarships & Grants

Generous funding by the Buell Foundation provides for each admitted student (Buell Fellow) to receive the full tuition for the 18 required credits. Fellows will incur costs throughout the year related to books, travel and lodging while attending classes in Denver.

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career as an early childhood leader. We have a name that is recognized for preparing leaders of excellence who inspire others. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.