President: Dr. D'Lee Babb
Associate Professor, Western Kentucky University
D’Lee Babb serves as an Associate Professor of ECE and Child Studies at Western Kentucky University where she teaches courses in Early Childhood Education and Child and Family Services. D’Lee has taught in preschool, toddler, and infant classrooms, led teacher trainings, and worked with early interventions. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Sciences from Oklahoma State University (dissertation: Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Practices in Oklahoma Public Schools: Influence of Teacher and Principal Beliefs and Characteristics). Her current research interests are third culture children in public preschools, developmentally appropriate practices in public preschools, and teacher education. She is involved with the NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation system.
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Shared Knowledge in Practice (SKiP) Call Coordinator, Teacher Research Liaison, and Commissioner for ACCESS on the Commission on Professional Excellence in Early Childhood Education: Debra Murphy, Ph.D
Professor, Teacher Education and Child Development, Cape Cod
Debra has been a professor at Cape Cod Community College for over 30 years. She is a past president of ACCESS, and also served as VP of Professional Development. She is the ACCESS representation on the Commission on Professional Excellence in ECE.
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Secretary: Dr. Katherine Abba
Professor, Teacher Education and Child Development, Houston Community College
Dr. Katherine Abba (Kathi) has been with Houston Community College for 25 years, as part-time and full-time faculty in Child Development and Teacher Education. Katherine also served as the Program Coordinator for both disciplines for a total of 9 years. In addition to teaching in a professional preparation program for early childhood educators and PK-12 teachers, her background includes teaching deaf/hard of hearing children, High Scope curriculum trainer, reading tutor, and education specialist for the Department of the Army Childcare. She holds a BA in Elementary Education, an MA in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Reading and Writing. Katherine is an ardent supporter of effective early learning for all children and their future educators, as is ACCESS. She aspires to help society value early childhood care and education and its professionals.
VP of Professional Development: Dr. Jennifer Koel
Early Childhood Education Instructor, Waukesha County Technical CollegeDr. Jennifer Koel, has been an Early Childhood Education Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College for 18 years. When working with college students, she’s passionate about creating a Higher Ed learning community where active educational experiences shape not just understanding, but empathy and connection. With vast experience spanning from infants to elementary-aged children, she’s a champion for developmentally appropriate practice. Endorsed in infant and early childhood mental health, Dr. Jenn advocates for raising awareness and knowledge in this vital field. Additionally, she actively contributes to the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Higher Education Accreditation system and serves as the Vice President of Professional Development for ACCESS, demonstrating her commitment to educational excellence and professional growth. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jenn enjoys traveling to visit her three adult children and finds solitude in nature.
VP of Membership: Tricia McKay
Program Director, Child Development and Early Education , Lansing Community College
As the Program Director for Child Development and Early Education at Lansing Community College, Tricia is a dedicated advocate for early childhood professional development. Her 30-year career in the field informs her work as a college administrator, where she focuses on program growth and student persistence. Tricia holds an M.S. in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University and a B.S. from Michigan State University. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to broadening access to education and creating a culture of belonging for all students and faculty. By building strong collaborative networks, she helps ensure that students have high-quality, equitable opportunities to thrive within the program and the broader community.
VP of Communication, SKiP Call Coordinator: Danielle Savory Seggerson
Professor, Child Development and Early Education , Lansing Community CollegeDanielle is current a professor at Lansing Community College in the Child Development and Early Education program. Her training is in early childhood education and special education from Cornell University and Bank Street College. She spent ten years in the early childhood classroom (including progressive, laboratory, inclusive, and public school settings) before transitioning to higher education. Her passions include course design and assessment. Danielle is currently the President of Michigan ACCESS and VP of Communication for National ACCESS. She appreciates collaborating with colleagues as part of ACCESS to help improve teacher education across the country.
VP of Collaborations: Ronda Hawkins
Early Childhood Professor, Sandhills Community College
Ronda Hawkins is a passionate early childhood educator dedicated to fostering nature-based play and learning experiences for young children. With over 30 years of expertise in the field, Ronda holds a master’s degree in early childhood education. She is currently serving as a distinguished professor in the early childhood program at Sandhills Community College. Ronda has been a member of ACCESS for many years and has served on the ACCESS board in prior years as the NC Affiliate Representative and as a Nominating Committee member. As the NC Great Teachers Seminar Coordinator, Ronda continues to engage in professional development activities. She credits the Great Teachers Seminar as the most impactful experience in shaping her teaching approach. She is looking forward to sharing aspects of that seminar at ACCESS gatherings.
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Treasurer: Anu Sachdev, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty, East Stroudsburg University
Dr. Anu Sachdev brings decades of professional experience in early childhood education as a classroom teacher, center director, program director, faculty member, consultant, and researcher. She has served in multiple leadership roles on the ACCESS board at both the state and national levels and is a committed advocate for advancing the early childhood profession. Dr. Sachdev currently serves as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), as a local school board member, and as President of a local PennAEYC chapter. Her research interests focus on school transitions for Asian families and culturally responsive approaches to early childhood teacher preparation.
Beyond her professional roles, Anu embraces life with curiosity and joy. She enjoys reading, music, dancing, cooking, spending time in nature, and traveling. Most of all, she loves spending time with family and friends and values the connections that enrich both her personal and professional life.
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