Celebrating New Hires and Promotions at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

At East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP), we are committed to growth and excellence, beginning with our dedicated team. We are thrilled to announce recent newcomers and staff promotions propelling our mission forward. Our commitment to promoting from within and attracting passionate professionals ensures that our teams across various campuses and regional offices are stronger than ever. Let's celebrate these outstanding individuals who are making a difference in the lives of our children and families.  

Claudia M. Scott was hired in spring 2024 as the new campus director of Vincennes Educational Campus, in Indiana. She is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and brings a wealth of experience and passion to ECMHSP. After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Claudia pursued a B.S. degree in American History and Early Childhood Education from Cliff College in New York. Her career spans teaching on military bases, owning a preschool and daycare, and working as an Operations Manager at FedEx Express, during which time she earned an Executive MBA in Business Management from Colorado Technical University. Claudia has been deeply involved in pageantry, owning Designing Divas Studio and Crown Pointe Dance Studio, and has a notable history of volunteering with organizations like the American Cancer Society and Wounded Warriors. Claudia's journey to ECMHSP began after the passing of her husband, Col James C Scott Jr. in 2021. She saw our organization as an opportunity to give back to a community of children in need, and her enthusiasm is boundless. Claudia enjoys fishing, singing, and scrapbooking, and is a proud mother of four children. 

Ricky Johnson is driven by a mission to make transformational change in children's lives through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Johnson is new to ECMHSP working as an Early Childhood Education/Disabilities Coordinator at Steele Campus, in rural mountain Alabama. With an educational background that includes an Associate in Applied Science in human services/social work, a B.S. in Psychology, and an MS in Education with a concentration in SEL, Johnson is well-equipped to support teachers, local resources, and families in fostering healthy, culturally responsive environments. Johnson's extensive experience spans over twenty-five years in mental health and education, including roles as a counselor for at-risk youth and a Special Education Teacher in a self-contained classroom. His dedication to empathy, compassion, and meeting children where they have fueled his career and his commitment to ECMHSP. 

As the new Senior Budget Manager at in the Raleigh Corporate Office, Jose A. Lopez brings a wealth of experience in Financial Modeling, Financial Analysis, Business Strategy, and Personnel Management. His impressive background includes roles at WebMD, Moody’s Investors Service, and the United Bank of Switzerland, making him exceptionally qualified to oversee ECMHSP's significant budget and steer the Finance department toward future success. Jose earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. His expertise and commitment represent invaluable contributions to ECMHSP as we strive to expand and fulfill our mission. 

Kisha A. Miller is the new Head Start Administrator/Campus Director for Oklahoma Direct Services in Service Delivery Area 3, and already extremely dedicated to the mission of ECMHSP. She started her Head Start career in 2006, having worked with two Head Start agencies, prior to joining ECMHSP. Kisha is dedicated to the mission of Head Start and believes children and families should have equitable opportunities to succeed in school and in life. She leads with respect by cultivating a positive and productive environment where she and her team are motivated, engaged, and committed to serving children and families. 

Kisha has an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human and Family Science. In her spare time, Kisha enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and inspiring others. 

Ashley Cogar serves as the Campus Director for our Loxley educational campus in Alabama. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Work, Ashley has over a decade of experience working with at-risk youth and children in foster care. Her work with L.B.J.&C. Development Corporation's Head Start Programs provided her the opportunity to serve 880 children annually across 21 campuses. Ashley's commitment to ECMHSP stems from her passion for making a positive impact on families. Her extensive experience and dedication make her a valuable addition to our team. 

Rose Yin has recently been promoted to Accounts Payable Supervisor and has 15 years of accounting expertise. Starting with ECMHSP as an Accounts Payable Specialist in July 2022, Rose quickly advanced to her current role, where she oversees accounts payable functions. She holds an Associate of Applied degree in Accounting from Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rose's dedication and expertise are critical to our financial operations at the Raleigh, NC Corporate office in support of our organization wide operations. 

Gaby Quinteros was hired in early summer 2024 as an Early Childhood Education Coach, supports teachers in improving their classroom practices. With a background that includes roles as a classroom teacher, parent educator, and early intervention specialist, Gaby holds a Master of Science of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families aligns perfectly with ECMHSP's mission. Gaby's diverse experience and passion for family-centered support make her an invaluable member of our team. 

Please join us in celebrating having such incredible individuals join our teams and enhance our service to fulfill our mission in serving farmworker families with early childhood education.  

About ECMHSP   

East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was established in 1974 through a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, ECMHSP operates in 43 Educational Campuses across ten states providing holistic, high-quality early childhood education services for approximately 3,000 farmworker children between 6 weeks to 6 years old. For more information, visit https://www.ecmhsp.org/