Hayley Ross graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education focusing on children birth to five years of age. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career at the Ohio University Child Development Center, a traditional laboratory school. Not only did this opportunity allow her to deepen her knowledge of young children and families in a classroom setting, it also began her work with a university community. Through mentoring preservice teachers, supervising student workers, and graduate coursework, she knew connection to a university was important for her. As her time in Athens, Ohio came to a close, she began searching for her next professional home in the summer of 2004. She returned to Cincinnati to be closer to family and friends (Hayley grew up on the east side of the city) and sought out a teaching position. This led her to UC Child Care Center, Inc. She began working in one of the infant classrooms, and over time gained additional administrative responsibilities. She joined the board of a couple professional organizations and served in leadership roles in the early childhood community. This experience cemented her desire to lead and influence change at a program and community level.