Sharon Lynn Kagan

Sharon Lynn Kagan is a Professor (Adjunct) at the Yale Child Study Center and the Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy. She is also Co-Director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University. With a career spanning global policy influence across 90+ countries, she has held leadership roles in U.S. Senate education initiatives, Head Start administration, and served as president of major organizations like NAEYC and Family Support America.

• EdD - Columbia University (1979)

Her research focuses on early childhood education systems, emphasizing policy implementation, institutional impacts on low-income children, and cross-sector collaboration frameworks. Key contributions include validating early learning standards and developing equitable education architectures.

Awardee of three most prestigious American education honors, Dr. Kagan has authored 17 books and 300+ articles while maintaining active roles as a Fulbright Senior Specialist and United Nations consultant.