At a time when the early childhood education (ECE) workforce is facing urgent challenges and transformative opportunities, the Early Childhood Fellowship at UMass Boston is proving to be a powerful, equity-driven model for change.

The EC Fellowship is part of UMass Boston’s innovative early education BA program which serves 300 students annually and has established itself as a leader in recruiting, retaining, and graduating racially and linguistically diverse early childhood educators. It addresses critical barriers that often prevent early educators from completing their degrees and provides comprehensive support through five key components: 

• Tuition coverage and stipends to ensure Fellows can earn their degree without accumulating debt
• Personalized tutoring and academic support
• Regular mentoring and a learning community network
• Coaching to support and enhance the quality of teaching practices
• Leadership development opportunities and an alumni network

The EC Fellowship offers a debt-free path for racially, linguistically, and culturally diverse early educators to complete their bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. It also addresses the needs of students who must balance academic demands with professional and family responsibilities and is intentionally structured to be welcoming to those who have historically faced barriers to higher education such as immigrants and first-generation students.  

With tuition, stipends, and paid field placements, the EC Fellowship addresses the most significant barrier to a bachelor’s degree, which is the financial cost. But it also provides a comprehensive, wraparound model of support that goes far beyond traditional scholarship programs: personalized advising and mentoring, coaching to improve teaching practices in ECE settings, and academic tutoring. Early Childhood Fellows also engage in leadership development opportunities, community-building through cohort-based learning, and access to a growing alumni network.  

“Many of our Fellows are adult learners, first-generation college students, and experienced educators balancing school, work, and family,” said Anne Douglass, PhD, professor and founder and executive director of Early Education Leaders. “They are driven by a passion for teaching and a desire to lead change in their communities.” 

To date, over 80 Early Childhood Fellows have been admitted into the program. Most are already working in early care and education settings—family child care, Head Start, out-of-school time programs, and preschool classrooms—bringing a wealth of lived experience and community connection to their academic journey. 

What sets the EC Fellowship apart is its grounding in equity and its focus on developing leaders who reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic richness of the communities they serve. Nearly half of current Early Childhood Fellows speak a primary language other than English, and many are pursuing concentrations in infant and toddler care or aspiring to open their own early education programs. 

The EC Fellowship launched in 2014 with support from the Office of Indian Education at the US Department of Education. EC Fellows committed to working with Native American children in tribal- and community-based ECE settings. In 2022, it expanded with funding from the City of Boston to cultivate a pipeline of trained, high-quality educators in Boston and affirm the leadership potential that already exists within the early education workforce. Early Childhood Fellows admitted since 2022 commit to working in the city of Boston for at least three years after graduating, ensuring that Boston children and families benefit from the city’s investment in the program. 

“We’re building a stronger, more sustainable workforce by supporting educators who are already making a difference in Boston’s early education landscape,” said Lynne Mendes, director of leadership programs for Early Education Leaders. “Our Fellows are not just earning degrees—they are shaping the future of early childhood education.”

Evidence of Success

The Fellowship is already showing measurable outcomes. Graduates are stepping into lead teaching roles and supervisory positions in early childhood education settings. Many are committing to work with infants and toddlers—where demand for qualified educators is especially high.

Current Fellows are performing well academically, maintaining an average GPA of 3.25, and are leading within their programs and communities. Early Education Leaders was recently awarded a $250,000 grant from the Stranahan Foundation to support a rigorous, multi-year evaluation of the EC Fellowship’s impact—laying the groundwork for replicating this model across other communities.

In 2023, Bri Vines became the first Early Childhood Fellow to complete her degree. Now working in a leadership role at her early education program in Boston, she credits the Fellowship with helping her grow as a teacher, mother, and community leader.

“This program has been pivotal in my development,” she said. “I gained the skills, confidence, and knowledge to support children and families in deeper, more intentional ways. I’m proud to be part of this Fellowship and excited for what’s next.”

A Model for the Future

As the ECE field grapples with persistent workforce shortages and inequities in access and opportunity, the Early Childhood Fellowship stands out as a replicable, equity-focused solution. It invests in people already doing the work—and gives them the tools, credentials, and support to lead lasting change.

Information about applying to become a Fellow is available here. For additional information about the Fellowship, email Kori.Lantas@umb.edu.