Shauna M. Adams

Shauna M. Adams, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and Executive Director of the Center for Early Learning at the University of Dayton's School of Education and Health Sciences. She holds a doctorate in Early Childhood and Special Education from the University of Cincinnati (1996) and degrees from the University of Dayton (M.S.Ed. 1986, B.S. 1979). Her research focuses on early childhood curriculum, advocacy for quality programs, and Catholic early childhood education. She has secured grants totaling over $500,000 for initiatives like the Child Care Stabilization Grant (2024) and the Spurlino Foundation's Kindergarten Readiness Project (2017–2018). Adams also leads professional development initiatives, including trauma-informed classroom practices and family engagement strategies. Her work emphasizes intercultural competence in teacher education and community partnerships.

Education:

• Ed.D., Early Childhood and Special Education, University of Cincinnati, 1996
• M.S.Ed., Social Agency and School Counseling, University of Dayton, 1986
• B.S., Elementary and Special Education, University of Dayton, 1979

Grants & Funding:

• Child Care Stabilization Grant (Parts 1–4), Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services: $430,000
• Kindergarten Readiness Gap Project: $75,000 (Spurlino Foundation)

Research & Advocacy: Adams actively promotes policy engagement through roles on the Ohio Early Childhood Advisory Council and Montgomery County Kindergarten Readiness Committee. Her publications include books on faith-based early childhood education curricula and peer-reviewed articles on trauma-informed classrooms and intercultural teacher training.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Center for Early Learning, a hub for innovative early childhood programs and community partnerships.