Ken Smythe-Leistico, MSW
Director, Pathways to Kindergarten Success
Since 2006, Ken Smythe-Leistico has served as Pathways to Kindergarten Success Director for the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development. Funded by The Heinz Endowments, Ken has researched, developed, and implemented programs that target children and families transitioning into Kindergarten. Mr. Smythe-Leistico is the co-author of the Ready Freddy™ Kindergarten Club curriculum and author of Ready Freddy Goes to School, a children’s book that promotes family readiness for kindergarten. Ken’s prior work has included adolescent group home management, after school programming, family support, Head Start, and volunteer/mentoring programming. In addition to his transition-specific training experience, Ken has taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of Alabama and as a certified Family Development Credential Instructor and Portfolio Advisor. In 2006, he received the “Dr. Edward Moseley Hispanic/Latino Advocate of the Year” in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Ken holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama.
Medina Jackson, MSW
Community Outreach Coordinator
Medina Jackson is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Pathways to Kindergarten Success, for the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development. Her role enables her to build relationships and partnerships to create linkages between families, schools, and communities to prepare children for the transition to kindergarten. Her prior work includes youth program management, afterschool, summer and arts related (spoken word and Hip Hop) programming, mentoring, case management and social justice endeavors. Originally from Berkeley, California, she moved to Pittsburgh in 2001 to earn her Master's degree in Social Work (Community Organization and Social Administration concentration) from the University of Pittsburgh, which she acquired in 2003. Upon graduation, she participated in an Amizade Global Service Learning Project in Jamaica studying the impact of globalization, an eye opening experience allowing her to parallel and find commonality in the strengths and challenges of youth and families in the United States with those internationally. She later received her Family Development Credential in 2006.
Colleen Young, MSW
Projects Manager
As the Projects Manager for the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development Service Demonstration Division, Colleen Young is responsible for program design, grant writing and coordination, strategic implementation, evaluation, and quality improvement. She develops project specific written materials for dissemination to the community on multiple projects including kindergarten transition, school readiness, family support, and parent involvement. Colleen provides research support to her team by reviewing current literature and informing project directors of the latest data on best practice. Colleen received the Dean’s Scholar Award along with her Master of Social Work and Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Pittsburgh. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the College of William and Mary.
Joan Eichner, MPA, MPH
Children's Policy Director
Joan Eichner is the Children’s Policy Director with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development (OCD). She has worked in maternal and child health, health education, mental health services, homeless and housing services, and international development in the public and nonprofit sectors. In her current position, Joan works to change policy and practice to improve the health, development, and education outcomes for children and their families, particularly those in low income urban communities. She has Masters degrees in public health and public administration, concentrating on community and behavioral health and nonprofit management, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Joan also serves on the Board of Directors of Milestone Centers, Inc. In her spare time, Joan enjoys hiking, kayaking, volunteering, and traveling.
Stephanie Groark, MBA
Projects Development Manager
Stephanie is the Projects Development Manager in the Division of Applied Research and Evaluation at University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development (OCD). She received her MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh, with dual concentration in Marketing/Human Resources and Organizational Development. For three years, she served as a Nonprofit Management Consultant at Olszak Management Consulting, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA, focusing on strategic planning, organizational development, financial analysis, and business planning for various nonprofit entities. Currently, at OCD, she focuses on project development and program evaluation with a commitment to strong and effective partnerships and community collaborations.
Laurie Mulvey, MSW
Director, Service Demonstrations
Laurie Mulvey, MSW has served as the Director of Service Demonstrations at the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development for more than 20 years, providing leadership for several collaborative projects designed to improve the lives of children and families. Laurie has written and coordinated multiple federal, state, and local grants and has nearly four decades of experience working in family services, child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, and education systems. Laurie oversees several projects including the Pathways to Kindergarten Success, a set of grants and activities that foster positive transitions for children and their families into Kindergarten. In addition to her work at OCD, Laurie serves on the boards of several organizations and is an active member of the Pittsburgh community.
The Ready Freddy Program
University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development
400 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone: 412-244-5385 | Email: rfreddy@pitt.edu
