What is the NAECR Policy Fellows Program?

The NAECR Policy Fellows Program features a series of informal conversations among
First Five Nebraska and NAECR early childhood researchers at the University of Nebraska.

View Fellows


What are the objectives?

  • To educate NU early childhood researchers on state policy processes, impacts and relationships to research.
  • To provide the Nebraska policy community with insight into the University of Nebraska’s latest early childhood research.
  • To create meaningful, bidirectional connections and collaborations between the research and policy communities to develop a policy-relevant research agenda and enrich early childhood experiences.

How does it work?

NAECR selects early childhood researchers to participate in the program, which takes place every other year. Participation includes four conversations over the course of the academic year and participation in a culminating activity (e.g., presentation, panel). Fellows are expected to engage in and contribute to an active, ongoing and supportive dialogue about the connections between policy and research.

Representatives from First Five Nebraska will provide insight into policy process, impact and the relationship between policy and research.

Participants must be current NU faculty or current NU administrative research personnel.

Policy Fellows alumni group

The alumni group consists of all past NAECR policy fellows who are still part of the University of Nebraska system. The group meets virtually with First Five Nebraska twice a year to learn about early childhood legislation being presented each legislative session and discuss ongoing opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

NAECR Policy Fellows


  • Pamela Bazis

    Pamela Bazis

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Birdie Ganz

    Birdie Ganz

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Sangyoo Lee

    Sangyoo Lee

    University of Nebraska Medical Center
    Biography
  • Sharon Obasi

    Sharon Obasi

    University of Nebraska at Kearney
    Biography
  • JP Rech

    JP Rech

    University of Nebraska at Kearney
    Biography
  • Nishank Varshney

    Nishank Varshney

    University of Nebraska Medical Center
    Biography
  • Philip Lai

    Philip Lai

    University of Nebraska at Kearney
    Biography
  • Susan Loveall

    Susan Loveall

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Brenden Timpe

    Brenden Timpe

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Carrie Clark

    Carrie Clark

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Amy Encinger

    Amy Encinger

    University of Wyoming
    Biography
  • Holly Hatton

    Holly Hatton

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Sara Kupzyk

    Sara Kupzyk

    University of Nebraska at Omaha
    Biography
  • Dawn Mollenkopf

    Dawn Mollenkopf

    University of Northern Iowa
    Biography
  • Amy Napoli

    Amy Napoli

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Alexandra Daro

    Alexandra Daro

    Buffett Early Childhood Institute
    Biography
  • Jenna Finch

    Jenna Finch

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Anne Karabon

    Anne Karabon

    South Dakota State University
    Biography
  • Marisa Macy

    Marisa Macy

    University of Wyoming
    Biography
  • Amanda Prokasky

    Amanda Prokasky

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Danae Dinkel

    Danae Dinkel

    University of Nebraska at Omaha
    Biography
  • Marc Goodrich

    Marc Goodrich

    Texas A&M University
    Biography
  • Soo-Young Hong

    Soo-Young Hong

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography
  • Rachel Schachter

    Rachel Schachter

    University of Illinois-Chicago
    Biography
  • Sarah Zuckerman

    Sarah Zuckerman

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Biography