Diane M. Horm

Dr. Diane M. Horm is the George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Education and Founding Director of the Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. She holds a Ph.D. in Child Development with a specialization in Early Childhood Education, a post-master’s in School Psychology, and a master’s in Developmental Psychology. Prior to OU, she served as Associate Dean of the College of Human Sciences and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island.

Her research focuses on early childhood education quality, teacher well-being, program evaluation, and policy-relevant initiatives. Notable projects include collaborations with Tulsa’s Educare programs and multi-university studies tracking child development from Pre-K through Grade 3. She leads the ECEI in advancing applied research, such as OK-AIR (Indoor Environment Research) and OKFutures evaluations.

Key areas of expertise include early childhood workforce stability, health and nutrition in childcare settings, and mitigating disparities in educational outcomes. Her work bridges theory and practice through partnerships with institutions like Harvard and Georgetown Universities, emphasizing scalable solutions for vulnerable populations.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Child Development (Early Childhood Education)
  • Post-Master’s in School Psychology
  • Master’s in Developmental Psychology
• Labs/Teams: Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI), OK-AIR Research Initiative

Grants and funding details are not explicitly listed, but her position as an endowed chair underscores sustained institutional support for her research. She actively advises on policy and practice, advocating for evidence-based early childhood interventions.