Susan Sarver

Strategic Plan for Equitable Access to Quality (SPEAQ) Early Childhood Services in Nebraska

In addition to her role as director of workforce planning and development at the Buffett Institute, Susan Sarver is an associate professor in the Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Sarver previously served as assistant chair in the department, providing leadership for undergraduate programs, particularly in early childhood education. She initiated a statewide early childhood workforce survey, an inventory of higher education programs, and other data collection efforts in the state. As part of this work, the Institute convened the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, which in 2020 released its report and recommendations. The workforce program’s focus now is on achieving the goals co-created with the commission. Sarver brings expertise in systems work at the state level to this work. Sarver received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington & Lee University in Virginia, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in child and family development from the University of Georgia.