Cindy Wheeler

Cindy has a passion for working with and on behalf of young children, youth, and families. Throughout her 48-year career, Cindy served in leadership positions in NC’s early childhood and school age care communities. She was fortunate to have worked with state leaders to implement NC’s Smart Start and the More-at-Four/NC Pre-K Programs.
 
Under the NC Pre-K Program, Cindy piloted the first statewide BK licensure framework to support nonpublic school Pre-K teachers, which is still available through ECU and UNCC.
 
Cindy is a member of NAEYC, a former governing board member and president of the NCAEYC. Since retiring in 2018, mental health reform has become her focus, resulting in the passage of S.L. 2021-77 (Michelle’s Law).
 
Cindy holds degrees from ECU (BS), CMU (MA), NCSU (MPA), and certificates from UNCCH (Early Childhood Leadership Development), and Leadership NC. In 2017, ECU’s College of Health and Human Performance recognized Cindy with an Outstanding Alumni award for her contributions to the early childhood profession. In October 2022, she received the NAMI NC Steve Jordan Award in recognition of her work as an innovator and advocate for those affected by mental illness.
 
Cindy has two adult sons and is “Nana” to 17-year-old twin granddaughters.