Shannon Burghart
Greensboro
Summary
Experienced community college academic leader with extensive background in program direction, postsecondary teaching, curriculum development, student support, and cross-functional collaboration. Brings progressive leadership experience in higher education and early childhood education settings, including supervision, budget management, policy implementation, compliance oversight, and community partnership development. Combines long-standing instructional leadership at Guilford Technical Community College with prior executive and director-level administrative experience and doctoral preparation in community college leadership.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Director, Early Childhood Education
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC
01.2012 - Current
- Provide academic and administrative leadership for the Early Childhood Education program within a community college environment.
- Deliver instruction in online, hybrid, and traditional formats for courses including Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Child Development I, Child, Family and Community, Health, Safety and Nutrition, Early Childhood Administration I, Language and Literacy, Early Childhood Capstone Practicum, and Work Based Learning Experience.
- Chair the curriculum committee within the program, leading review of curriculum needs, course offerings, program recommendations, and alignment with institutional and program requirements.
- Collaborate with administration, faculty, and student support partners to advance program goals, strengthen student advising, and support student success and retention.
- Contribute to curriculum planning, course development, and instructional improvement to ensure course content and learning objectives are achieved.
- Support a learner-centered environment through advising, mentoring, and engagement in student-focused activities, including SHINE student presentation support and advising the Early Childhood Education Club.
- Use instructional technology and current educational tools to support effective delivery across multiple modalities.
- Participate in professional development and college initiatives to remain current in the discipline and strengthen instructional and program effectiveness.
- Build productive relationships across the college to support sound decision-making, collaboration, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Executive Director
Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center
Tarrytown, NY
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Managed a multi-site early care and learning program serving children from six months through school age.
- Hired, trained, and supervised staff while supporting curriculum development and guidance policies.
- Prepared and managed a $1.2 million budget and pursued grant funding from public and private sources.
- Maintained licensing compliance and oversaw operational requirements.
- Managed enrollment processes, maintained waiting lists, and enrolled new families.
- Collaborated with directors county-wide to improve the quality of early care and learning services.
- Supervised student teachers.
Policy Analyst
Child Care, Inc.
New York, NY
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Analyzed city- and state-funded early education policies and developed recommendations for improvement.
- Researched, wrote, and disseminated policy memoranda and advocacy materials.
- Provided public testimony and worked with public officials to strengthen the early care and education system.
- Collaborated with coalition partners at the city and state levels to expand support for publicly funded early education programs.
- Organized and led advocacy efforts, including legislative visits, rallies, and press conferences.
Director
A. Sophie Rogers Lab School, The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Managed Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool and infant/toddler laboratory programs.
- Supervised lab staff, graduate associates, and student teachers.
- Developed curriculum, projects, and training programs.
- Taught undergraduate courses and conducted professional development workshops.
- Led parent programming and represented the lab school in the community.
- Presented at the 2000 NAEYC national conference on diversity in the early childhood classroom.
- Participated in the Reggio Emilia study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Associate Director
McPhaul Child & Family Development Center, University of Georgia
Athens, GA
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Developed and supervised implementation of center policies.
- Hired, trained, and supervised staff in early care and learning classrooms.
- Prepared and managed the state Prekindergarten grant and assisted with management of the federal Head Start grant.
- Prepared and monitored budgets and supported center operations.
- Taught undergraduate courses and trained teachers and administrators at local, state, and national levels.
- Supervised student teachers and conducted parent orientation.
- Managed enrollment processes and maintained waiting lists.
Education
Doctor of Education - Community College Leadership
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC12-2026
Master of Public Policy - Child and Family Policy
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL01-2003
Master of Science - Child and Family Development
University of Georgia
Athens, GA01-1999
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Psychology
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC01-1995
Skills
- Relationship building
- Effective leader
- Program leadership
- Staff development
Core Qualifications
- Academic leadership and program administration
- Faculty supervision, mentoring, and performance support
- Curriculum development, review, and implementation
- Assessment, continuous improvement, and student success support
- Enrollment management and retention-focused program planning
- Budget development, budget monitoring, and resource stewardship
- Accreditation, licensing, and regulatory compliance
- Community, workforce, and external partnership building
- Strategic planning and change leadership
- Online, hybrid, and face-to-face instructional delivery
Timeline
Program Director, Early Childhood Education
Guilford Technical Community College
01.2012 - Current
Executive Director
Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center
01.2005 - 01.2006
Policy Analyst
Child Care, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2005
Director
A. Sophie Rogers Lab School, The Ohio State University
01.1999 - 01.2001
Associate Director
McPhaul Child & Family Development Center, University of Georgia
01.1997 - 01.1999
Master of Public Policy - Child and Family Policy
University of Chicago
Master of Science - Child and Family Development
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Psychology
Wake Forest University
Doctor of Education - Community College Leadership
North Carolina State University