Hawani Negussie

Dr. Hawani Negussie is the Chair and Assistant Professor of UMass Global's Early Childhood Education Program. She has been in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education for over twenty years holding various positions in the birth-21 (PK-16) educational settings.

Dr. Negussie offers expertise within Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Infant Mental Health, Indigenous Education Systems, International Research, Program Development and Administration. She has demonstrated knowledge in transformational leadership, statewide program/project oversight, organizational management, teacher training, assessment/outcome including ECE curriculum and instructional design. She has provided strategic and operational leadership in the implementation of effective early learning program standards at the state and international levels. Her extensive work with children and families from various backgrounds and settings, especially those coming from underserved communities continues to influence her outlook on how to address the compounding challenges children and families face due to inequitable opportunities.

Her research interest includes examination of indigenous knowledge in early learning environments, implications of aid imposed global education policies, and using culture as a central strategy in pre-primary education. Her research has been published with international journals focused on leadership and policy.