Elizabeth (Liz) Smith has been named the next director of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Child Development Lab. Her first day is December 16, 2024. Smith brings more than 17 years of experience in early childhood education. Her career spans from previous roles as an assistant toddler teacher while attending college, a multi-age kindergarten teacher upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, and her current leadership position with the Children’s Learning Center at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and previously served as the early childhood program director and student teaching coordinator in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
“I look forward to meeting each and every child, parent, family and staff member and being a part of this remarkable community,” Smith says. “It is an honor to continue building upon the strong foundation of excellence, creativity and care so thoughtfully developed under Jill Riley’s leadership.”
Smith succeeds Jill Riley, who will retire in December 2024 after a 25-year tenure with the Child Development Lab.
“I am thrilled that Liz, with her extensive experience in early childhood education, will be joining us,” says Soyeon Shim, the Elizabeth Holloway Schar Dean of the School of Human Ecology and the Ted Kellner Bascom Professor of Consumer Science. “Her relational approach to leading early care and education programming, combined with her unwavering commitment to continuing to provide a welcoming environment and the highest quality care and learning experiences for children, families and students is a powerful combination that will greatly benefit our program.”