McCormick Tribune Foundation Hires a New Director of Education
Media contact:
Pegeen Hopkins
Director of Communications
McCormick Tribune Foundation
(312) 222-5022
|
CHICAGO, April. 21, 2005
The McCormick Tribune Foundation (MTF) has announced the addition of Sara Slaughter as the director of its education program, which has helped Chicago become the nation’s leader in accredited early childhood centers. Slaughter will oversee the program’s grant initiatives and enhance the program’s dedication to the field. Over the last 12 years, the foundation has committed more than $50 million in resources and expertise to improve the quality of early childhood education in the metropolitan Chicago area.
“The McCormick Tribune Foundation has been actively involved in advancing the quality of early childhood education for more than a decade,” said Richard A. Behrenhausen, president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. “Improving education this way benefits children and society—they both gain from having skilled, licensed professionals in the field. Our grants have played an important role in increasing the number of accredited preschool programs in low income communities and in helping to enhance the skills of preschool program directors and teachers. Our education program is one of most innovative in the nation, and we are confident that Sara will build on the progress we have already made.”
Slaughter comes to the foundation from Chicago Metropolis 2020, where she served as program director and co-convened a statewide assembly on early childhood education led by the Governor’s office. Slaughter spearheaded efforts to increase corporate awareness of the economic and educational benefits associated with early care and education. She also helped pass Great START, legislation that strengthened the early education workforce, and helped secure funding increases for Illinois’ pre-kindergarten programs.
“The McCormick Tribune Foundation is a leader in advancing early childhood education,” said Slaughter. “I am proud to be joining a team so committed to investing in an issue that improves children’s quality of life and success in school.”
Slaughter currently serves on the Illinois Early Learning Council’s subcommittee on quality and the subcommittee on outcomes and assessments as well as the Birth to Five Steering Committee. She also serves on the boards of the Chicago Partnership for Quality Childcare and the Indiana University School of Law Alumni Board. Her past involvement in early education includes participation in the Governor’s Task Force on Universal Access to Pre-School in the committee on systems integration, and the Voices for Illinois Children’s Kids Count Advisory Committee.
Slaughter, a Chicago resident, holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Duke University and a juris doctorate from Indiana University School of Law -- Bloomington.
-more-
About the McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations, with combined assets of close to $2 billion. In 2004 the foundation issued $90 million designed to invest in communities, address human needs and promote the ideals of a democratic society through innovative partnerships. The foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2005, was first established as a charitable trust upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.
The foundation provides assistance in four program areas — communities, education, journalism and citizenship — and funds a special initiatives program. Through its grants, the foundation seeks to improve the social and economic environment; encourage a free and responsible discussion of issues affecting the nation; enhance the effectiveness of American education; and stimulate responsible citizenship. For more information, visit
http://www.mccormicktribune.org
###