Cindy Shackelford, Ph.D., Ed.D., serves as the Department Chair and Coordinator for the CHD/ECE/ELE Program at Jefferson State Community College since August 2019. Additionally, Cindy holds the position of Curriculum and Instruction K-12 Professor at Western Governors University and contributes to the Alabama Department of Education as a member of the Education and Training Course of Study Task Force. Involvement extends to the Alabama School Readiness Alliance as a board member and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as a Higher Ed Peer Reviewer. Cindy actively participates on the Steering Committee for VOICES FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN and is a Professional Development Specialist with The Council for Professional Recognition. As the owner and education consultant for Empowering Educators Professional Development Institute, along with serving as a professor at Rasmussen University, Cindy's extensive educational background includes multiple degrees from Liberty University and Concordia University in curriculum, instruction, and early childhood education.