WECP Announces New Director

The Waisman Early Childhood Program recently announced that Teresa Hoveland will become the next director of the program. Hoveland is assuming the leadership role after Nancy Saevang, the current director, steps down at the end of August. Saevang has been with the WECP since 2013 and served as the WECP director since 2023. She is stepping down to devote more time to her young family.

Hoveland brings more than 20 years of experience in campus child care, early childhood development, and programmatic leadership to the position. She has served as the executive director of several early childhood programs including the Infant Toddler Center at UC-Irvine, the Learning Gardens, and most recently, Hickory Hill Academy.

Hoveland has a close connection to the WECP as she did her first student teaching experience in the Sunshine room while a student at UW-Madison where she majored in child and family studies. “I was inspired by the center’s mission and dedication to providing inclusive high-quality care and education for children,” says Hoveland. “This firsthand experience gave me valuable insights into the unique needs of the program and solidified my passion for early childhood education.”

The WECP is a model inclusive early childhood program with a developmentally diverse enrollment. As Hoveland states, “I am committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that celebrates the unique identities and contributions of all individuals.”