Gloria Gonzalez (’07, Bachelor’s & ’12 Master’s, Management) of Lehigh Acres, a Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) employee for 16 years, was recently elected to the Florida Head Start Association board of directors.
Gonzalez started as a child development center assistant coordinator with RCMA, the state’s largest nonprofit provider of early childhood education, and now serves as a regional director overseeing 17 centers that serve 961 children and their families throughout Hendry, Glades, Highlands, Indian River and Palm Beach counties. RCMA provides Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant Head Start comprehensive services to children of low-income and migrant families in 21 rural Florida counties.
“I have seen the positive impact early education services have on children,” Gonzalez says. “This spring (2020), children first under my supervision at RCMA graduated from college, many with honors. When I see their graduation photos, it gives me a great sense of pride that RCMA’s Head Start program played a positive role in these young adults’ lives.” RCMA has supported more than 50,000 children since its founding 55 years ago.
Gonzalez said being on the Florida Head Start Association board will help her continue to support Head Start centers and advocate for its programs.