Join The Chamber & Early Learning Initiative (ELI) at the University of Alabama Gadsden Center for a ribbon cutting at their new First Class Pre-K Classrooms. Come here remarks from Dean Peter Hlebowitsh & the staff at the ELI program.

About The ELI ​

The University of Alabama Gadsden Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is an inclusive diverse program designed to meet the needs of the community. The ELI strives to promote evidence based practices and high-quality early learning for all children by a) providing a model of care and education for young children and b) serving as a site to advance in-service and pre-service educator professional development and research in early childhood education.

Consistent with the Mission Statement of The University of Alabama, the goal of the Early Learning Initiative at Gadsden is to:

• be a place where all families are welcomed, valued, and encouraged to be part of the community
• serve as a model site for early childhood educators
• serve as a research facility to further the fields of early care and education and child development