Saran Shields

Saran plays a critical role in overseeing more than 40 youth development programs, including afterschool, Community Schools, internship programs, and other enrichment and youth leadership opportunities. In this role, she is innovative and skillful and leads with heart, ensuring programs help each child find their strengths and reach their full potential. These are the same qualities Saran brought to her work as senior program director and community school director, just two of the positions in which she has served over the past 11 years. With Saran’s ability to work collaboratively with school administration, The Child Center was able to support dramatic increases in attendance, family engagement, academics, and, ultimately, graduation rates for several community schools.

Saran joined The Child Center in 2010 as a youth development specialist; within two months, she became program director at Aspirations Diploma Plus High School, which supports over-age and under-credited students. Her career trajectory at The Child Center stands as a testament to her vision, commitment, and hard work.

Saran earned her undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her MSW from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. When not with her students, Saran enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her three handsome sons, helping them grow and develop strong resiliency skills, as she does for the many children she has supported over the years.